Lebanese soldier killed, five injured in operation to find 'kidnapped' Saudi national

The Lebanese soldier was shot and killed by unknown gunmen driving a black SUV in Tal Abyad town of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon, an army statement said.

At least five others were injured in the attack, the statement added.

According to local media reports, the army was carrying out an operation to find a Saudi national, who is believed to have gone missing.

The Saudi embassy in Beirut reported on Friday one of its citizens was "kidnapped" in Lebanon.

The embassy gave no details of the person's identity or the circumstances of the kidnapping.

"The embassy is in contact with the highest ranking Lebanese security authorities about securing the unconditional release of a kidnapped Saudi citizen as soon as possible," it said in a statement reported by the SPA.

Officials said that Syrian national Ivine Hassan reported to local police in Lebanon that her Saudi husband Ali Shamrawi, who resides in Lebanon, went missing on Thursday night.

Numerous local media reports said Shamrawi's family received a call from unknown persons demanding a $1 million in return for Shamrawi's release.

It was not immediately clear if the kidnapping is related to rising tensions between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia over last week's resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri from the Saudi capital of Riyadh.

Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk was quoted by local media outlets on Friday stating that safety of all foreigners is a priority for authorities adding that the stability of Lebanon is a "red line".

"Security services are on high alert to prevent any attempt of exploiting the current political situation from anyone and for whatever reason," Machnouk said.

"Tampering with the security and stability of Lebanon is a red line."

On Thursday, the Saudi foreign ministry called on its nationals in Lebanon to leave immediately, following an escalation of political tension between Riyadh and Beirut.

Beirut believes Riyadh is holding Hariri Saudi Arabia, where a recent purge has seen dozens detained, including top princes and businessmen, over allegations of "corruption".

Hariri, who also holds Saudi nationality and whose wife and children live in the kingdom, went to Riyadh last Friday and met with Saudi King Salman, after which he announced his sudden resignation on Saudi-owned TV al-Arabiya.

Hariri cited growing Iranian influence for his resignation, adding that he had fears over his safety in Lebanon.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has said he will await Hariri's return before taking any decision, while Hizballah chief Hassan Nasrallah said Hariri's resignation had been "imposed" by Saudi Arabia.

Agencies contributed to this report.