Germany reports fighting in, outside consulate compound in Afghan city

BERLIN (Reuters) - A German Foreign ministry spokesman reported fighting outside and in the compound of the German consulate in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif late on Thursday after a blast that NATO forces said caused heavy damage to the building. The spokesman said Afghan security and NATO forces were now on site and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was receiving continual updates on the situation. The ministry had convened a crisis task force, the spokesman added. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by James Dalgleish)