McCain's calls Hungary Prime Minister 'dictator

Hungary summoned the United States' top diplomat in the country on Wednesday to protest comments by US Senator John McCain branding Prime Minister Viktor Orban a "neo-fascist dictator."

During Senate deliberations on new ambassadors in Washington on Tuesday, McCain described Hungary as "a nation that is on the verge of ceding its sovereignty to a neo-fascist dictator getting in bed with (Russian President) Vladimir Putin."

Budapest hit back on Wednesday, with Levente Magyar, state secretary for foreign affairs, telling the US charge d'affaires: "The Hungarian government finds it unacceptable and firmly rejects Senator John McCain's comments on the Hungarian prime minister and on Hungary's relationship with Russia."

The foreign ministry also said the Hungarian embassy in Washington was in contact with McCain's staff.