The Palestinian girl who was told by the German Chancellor her family might have to leave the country because 'you can't all come' has defended the leader's comments.

Reem Shawil surprised Angela Merkel when she revealed her family had been waiting for four years to receive permanent residency during a discussion at a school in Rostock on Wednesday. 

The schoolgirl said they could be forced to leave because her father could not continue his welding work on a temporary permit. 

Despite being reduced to tears by Merkel, who told her there was not enough space for everyone, Reem told ARD's Morgenmagazin: 'She listened to me and then gave her opinion. I'm fine with that.'

The schoolgirl's reaction comes as it was revealed she cannot be deported due to a law brought in by Merkel's government in June.

According to The Local, the Chancellor had hesitated for a minute before replying to Reem - who explained how difficult her life was - during the meeting.

The Chancellor eventually answered her by saying: 'You are an extremely nice person.

'You know, in the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon there are thousands and thousands [of people]. If we now say "you can all come"... we just can't manage that.' 

The answer left Reem, who has studied for four years in Rostock and is fluent in English and German, in tears. 

Merkel quickly walked over to her to stroke her hair, stating: 'You did a great job'. 

She then tried to explain to the presenter: 'I know it's a difficult situation. That's why I want to comfort her.' 

The tense exchange has been widely discussed on social media, with many using the hashtag #Merkelstreichelt (Merkel strokes) alongside their criticisms.

Jan Schnorrenberg, manager of the opposition Green party's youth wing, wrote: 'Explaining to a young girl on live camera that her fate doesn't matter to you - just shameful.'  

Katrin Goering-Eckardt, a senior lawmaker with the opposition Green party, added: 'The mistakes in the government's refugee policies can't be patted away.' 

Jeff Mannes said: 'Merkel confronted with crying young refugee. Reacts by "petting" her and saying that some have to go back. Speechless... #merkelstreichelt.'

And Matthias Grandis wrote: 'Merkel, a Christian, has no heart, no empathy and no understanding of the real world. Heartbreaking.'

A release sent out by Merkel's PR team may also have inflamed the situation after it claimed Reem was crying due to agitation at the government's plan to introduce a faster asylum process.

The comments emerged as the Chancellor also revealed she is opposed to gay marriage and believes matrimony should be restricted to just heterosexual couples.

The twice-married Christian said that while she believes anti-gay discrimination must be 'eliminated', she draws the line at same sex marriage because there has to be 'a difference at some point'.