Firebomb Thrown at Dutch Leader--He Tosses It Back

A firebomb was thrown through a window of the home of Dutch Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers on Wednesday night, but Lubbers tossed it back into the street, police said Thursday.

The bomb landed in a room where Lubbers and his wife were sitting. He managed to douse the flames and throw the bomb outside, a police spokesman said.

Curtains, carpet and furniture were damaged, but neither Lubbers nor his wife was injured and the fire department was not called.

Extra police and security guards were brought in Thursday to guard the house in one of the wealthier suburbs of Rotterdam. The house is not normally guarded, but police patrols keep an eye on it.

Police said they have no clue as to the attacker or the motive.

Lubbers, who celebrated his 48th birthday Thursday, became the youngest Dutch prime minister at the age of 43.

His relaxed manner and good looks have helped him become the country’s most popular politician.

He has twice chased and caught robbers who tried to break into his wife’s car parked outside their home. Lubbers is not known as a fitness enthusiast, but he plays an occasional game of field hockey.