"A military position in the eastern Bekaa came under fire Wednesday morning by unknown gunmen. The soldiers responded to the fire," the statement said.

"As a result of the clash, one soldier died and another was injured. The attackers escaped and their injuries are unknown," it added.

A security official says the machine-gun attack took place in Lebanon's eastern province of Hermel, about 10 kilometres (six miles) from the Syrian border.

The official says soldiers fired back at the attackers, who fled. Troops are currently searching the area.

It's unclear who the assailants were, and why they attacked the post. -Agencies