King Salman's long-time personal bodyguard shot dead

Faghm was transferred to hospital but died from his wounds (left) [Photo: Courtesy]

The personal bodyguard of Saudi Arabia's King Salman was shot dead by a friend after a row, according to state TV.

Major General Abdul Aziz al-Faghm, the King's long term bodyguard, was shot while at a private residence in the western city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

It happened amid what the state broadcaster described as "a personal dispute".

A police statement, published by state news agency SPA on Sunday, said Faghm had a verbal exchange with Mamdouh bin Meshaal Al Ali, a man described as his friend, who then retrieved a firearm from outside and opened fire.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz (L) accompanied by his personal bodyguard General Abdel Aziz al-Fagham [Photo: AFP/Getty]

The shooter refused to surrender to police who had surrounded the site and who shot him dead, the statement said.

Another Saudi, a Filipino and five members of the security forces were also wounded by gunfire, the statement added.

Faghm was transferred to hospital but died from his wounds.

He was killed in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah, where the government relocates for the summer months.

Faghm was at another friend's home in Jeddah's al-Shatee district at the time, several km (miles) north of the palace.

Major General Abdul Aziz al-Faghm (back) was the King's long term bodyguard [Photo: AFP/Getty]

State media did not give details about the row that sparked the shooting on Saturday night.

Al-Faghm had also served as the personal bodyguard of late King Abdullah, according to local media.

His death prompted an outpouring of sympathy from Saudis on social media.

"May you rest in peace, hero ..." senior Royal Court advisor Turki al-Sheikh tweeted.