RIYADH: Shots were fired at Saudi Arabia’s embassy in The Hague in a “cowardly” attack on Thursday morning, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Security personnel at the embassy informed Dutch security services as soon as the incident occurred and the embassy was cordoned off.
No one was injured during the incident and the Kingdom condemned the attack as “cowardly.”
"Just before 6 a.m. (05:00 GMT) we received a message that a shot had been fired at a building in The Hague. There were no injuries," police said on Twitter.
Dutch police said on Thursday afternoon they had arrested a 40-year-old man from the town of Zoetermeer on suspicion of involvement in the shooting. The identity of the suspect, who was being held for questioning, was not released in line with Dutch privacy rules.
(AFP)
Saudi Arabia thanked Dutch authorities for their quick response in attending the scene and urged Saudis in the Netherlands to take extra caution.
The Kingdom said it was awaiting the results of an investigation into the incident and looked forward to seeing those responsible for the attack being brought to justice.
The Arab Parliament condemned the attack and called for an investigation into Thursday's incident.
It also said the perpetrators should be arrested and brought to justice, and that the parliament supports any steps taken by the Kingdom to protect its security and citizens.
The Dutch foreign ministry said in a statement that it was taking the shooting “extremely seriously” and was in close contact with Saudi authorities.
The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation strongly condemned the “criminal” attack on the embassy.
It added that it rejects “all forms of violence aimed at destabilizing security and stability that are contrary to religious and humanitarian values and principles.”
A number of bullet casings were found at the scene, the Dutch news agency ANP quoted police as saying.
Local media said there were 20 bullet holes in the building and showed pictures of some holes in windows. There was no confirmation of the number of shots by police.
Officers have sealed off the scene and forensic teams are conducting an investigation, police said.
The motive for the shooting is not known.
The incident comes a day after a bomb blast struck a World War I commemoration attended by French and other diplomats in the Saudi city of Jeddah Wednesday, wounding at least two people.
