BEIRUT (AP) – Lebanon has reported its first swine flu death.

The country’s Health Ministry said Saturday that the man was suffering from advanced lymph gland cancer, which weakened his immunity.

Lebanese newspapers said the man died Thursday and that tests later showed he died of swine flu.

Lebanon has reported 162 cases of swine flu, many of them in expatriates coming to spend the summer vacation in the country.

Health authorities across the Middle East have reported seven deaths from swine flu in the region. Saudi Arabia has had the highest number of reported infections with 230 cases. Four people have died there.

An Egyptian woman and an Israeli man have also died of the virus.