Saudi Arabia on Thursday condemned the attempted assassination of Solvakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, the foreign ministry said.

“The Kingdom rejects all forms of violence, reaffirming its full solidarity with Slovakia against everything that threatens its security and stability,” the statement read.

The ministry wished speedy recovery of the prime minister, who remain, according to his deputy, in a “very serious condition” after being shot.

Fico was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday where he underwent a five-hour emergency surgery after being shot five times in Handlova.

The shooting was the first major assassination attempt on a European political leader for more than 20 years, and spurred international condemnation, with political analysts and lawmakers saying it was indicative of an increasingly febrile and polarised political climate across the continent.

ARAB NEWS