Police have arrested a man after a suspected assassination attempt on German Chancellor Angela Merkel was foiled.

An armed man in a black Mercedes 4×4 was detained after he allegedly tried to join Merkel's motorcade in Prague, Metro reported.

The perpetrator has been detained," police spokesman Josef Bocan said.

REUTERS German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Czech Republic's Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka in Prague.

"He is suspected of attempting to cause a crime – specifically an attempt to use violence against an official."

"The incident is currently being investigated by Prague detectives."

Bocan added: 'The driver of the Mercedes refused to obey orders coming from police cars accompanying the German chancellor.

GETTY IMAGES German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

'He tried to join the procession at all costs, cutting off a police vehicle that was trying to stop him. He only stopped and got out of the vehicle after police warned him that they were going to shoot.

'Thanks to the professional actions of officers, Angela Merkel's life was not in danger.

The chancellor was in Prague to meet Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka.