UPDATE 2-Germany seals deal to save Opel, Obama helps

* Germany agrees deal with Magna, GM, governments

* Obama phone call helped seal deal - Merkel

* Deal to shield Opel from GM bankruptcy

* Two state parliaments still to endorse deal

(Updates with Merkel news conference, reaction in Russia)

By Gernot Heller and Madeline Chambers

BERLIN, May 30 (Reuters) - Germany heaved a sigh of relief on Saturday over a deal with Canadian auto parts group Magna (MGa.TO: Quote, Profile, Research), General Motors GM.N and the U.S. government to save carmaker Opel from the imminent bankruptcy of its U.S. parent.

The accord sealed after six hours of talks in Chancellor Angela Merkel's offices still needs final approval but seemed set to ringfence Opel and its 50,000 workers in Europe from a GM Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing widely expected for Monday.

Merkel said U.S. President Barack Obama -- due to visit Germany next week -- helped swing the deal with a telephone call on Friday. That helped clear hurdles over financing that had threatened to scupper the entire transaction.