Saudi man dies after setting himself ablaze

Dubai: A Saudi man has become the first Gulf citizen to die of injuries after he set himself on fire in the south of the kingdom, after a wave of such protest incidents in the region.

Reports reaching here said the man, who was around 60 year old, was admitted to hospital on Friday after dousing his body in petrol and setting himself on ablaze, reports said.

The reason for the man's action, which comes after several self-immolation acts in a number of Arab countries to protest against poor economic conditions, is still unknown.

The series of suicide attempts began Don ecember 17 when Tunisian Mohammad Bouazizi set himself afire to protest against the country's high unemployment rate.

His death triggered a wave of protests which ultimately led to the overthrow of president Zine Al Abidine Bin Ali.