Slovak PM Fico no longer in life-threatening condition after being shot: Minister

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (59) is no longer in a life-threatening condition after he was shot in an assassination attempt when leaving a government meeting on Wednesday, a government minister said.

The gunman shot Fico, five times, initially leaving the prime minister in critical condition and undergoing surgery hours later on Wednesday evening report's REUTERS .

"I was very shocked ... fortunately as far as I know the operation went well - and I guess in the end he will survive ... he's not in a life-threatening situation at this moment," Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Environment Minister Tomas Taraba told the BBC's Newshour.

Taraba said one bullet went through Fico's stomach and a second hit a joint.

News outlet Aktuality.sk cited an unnamed source saying Fico was out of surgery and in stable condition.

Defence Minister Robert Kalinak told a news briefing hours earlier that Fico had suffered "serious polytrauma" after several shot wounds.

Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok had said earlier that Fico was in a life-threatening condition while he remained in the operating room.

Wednesday's gun attack occurred in Handlova, Slovakia. The country's prime minister was shot by a 71-year-old gunman, according to Slovak media. World leaders condemned the incident.