ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The U.S. ambassador to Greece has condemned a vandalism attack on his home in Athens, after paint was thrown at the wall outside his residence near the embassy.

Geoffrey Pyatt said in a tweet Wednesday that the paint attack was "childish vandalism" and that he would work with Greek authorities "to punish the culprits according to law."

The ambassador said "destruction of property is not peaceful protest."

Greece's foreign ministry also condemned the attack, saying it was an "unacceptable and irresponsible act that will however not harm the friendship and increasingly broad cooperation between our two countries."

Anarchist and far-left groups often carry out vandalism attacks at the homes or offices of diplomats and politicians in Athens, usually by throwing paint.