Dutch police arrest man over shots fired at Saudi Arabian embassy

Multiple shots were fired in The Hague leaving building riddled with bullet holes

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  Forensics police officers investigate the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in The Hague after it was shot. AFP, ANP

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  Forensics police officers investigate the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in The Hague after it was shot. AFP, ANP

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  Forensics police officers investigate the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in The Hague after it was shot. AFP, ANP

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  Police investigating outside the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in The Hague. EPA

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  Bullet impacts are seen in the windows of Saudi Arabia's embassy in The Hague, Netherlands. AP

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  Bullet impacts are seen in the windows of Saudi Arabia's embassy in The Hague, Netherlands. AP

Dutch police arrested a man on Thursday after multiple shots were fired at the Saudi embassy in The Hague.

The 40-year-old suspect was detained in Zoetermeer, 16 kilometres from The Hague, around eight hours after the shooting.

More than 20 bullets peppered the front of the building on Thursday, leaving holes across the facade and in several windows.

The shooting came just a day after three people were injured in an explosion at a cemetery in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where American and European officials were commemorating the end of the First World War.

The incident happened on Thursday on Koninginnegracht, a stately avenue opposite a canal in the Dutch administrative capital.

"Investigation led to the Zoetermeer suspect and the man was arrested in a house in Zoetermeer," police in The Hague said.

"Police officers also confiscated a passenger car for further investigation. The suspect is detained and will be questioned."

Police found several bullet casings outside the embassy, they said.

"Several shots were fired this morning at the Saudi Arabia embassy building on the #Koninginnegracht. The investigation is currently in full swing," security officials at The Hague tweeted.

The Saudi Arabian embassy confirmed none of its staff were hurt, and urged its citizens in the Netherlands to "exercise caution".

"Embassy security officers informed security authorities of the incident as soon as it occurred," the Saudi Arabian embassy said on Twitter.

“The Saudi Arabian government condemns this cowardly attack, and thanks the Dutch authorities for their prompt response."

The Dutch foreign ministry said was “in close contact with the Saudi authorities" as the investigation was launched.

On Thursday, ISIS claimed responsibility for the cemetery bombing in Saudi Arabia.

Mark Rutte, the Dutch Prime Minister, offered his support to France in the aftermath of the beheading of teacher Samuel Paty by an ISIS extremist last month.

Just hours after the recent Nice terrorist attack in France, a Saudi citizen wounded a guard in a knife attack at the French Consulate in Jeddah.