RIYADH, Saudi Arabia —  An American working for the Saudi navy was shot and injured Thursday in eastern Saudi Arabia.

The incident occurred at 2:30 p.m. near the King Abdul Aziz Naval Base (search) in Jubail, in the eastern province of Damman.

The American was treated at the hospital on base and was in good condition, the Saudi Press Agency (search) said, quoting a defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The search for the assailant was under way.

The American worked with a service company for the Saudi Naval forces, SPA said.

No other details were immediately available.

Western diplomats suspect groups sympathetic to Al Qaeda leader Usama bin Laden (search) have been behind a string of attacks against Westerners in Saudi Arabia since late 2000. The Saudi government has blamed many of the attacks on gangs fighting over the illegal liquor trade.