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Saber Murad, 33, is reportedly in a "stable condition" despite being shot in the head after throwing himself in front of crowds when a gunman opened fire.

The assailant, named as Abdul-Rahman Mabsout, launched the "lone wolf" attack shooting at police and army vehicles in different parts of the city while riding a motorcycle, killing two security officers and two soldiers.

After being tracked down to an apartment, Mabsout detonated a suicide belt. He had formerly fought for the Islamic State group in Syria, having been detained on his return in 2016. He was released a week later, according to Lebanese new site LBC.

Father-of-two Murad, was shot three times, once in the head and twice in the back. He is still being treated in Tripoli's Islamic Hospital yet to become aware of the social media storm that followed his act of heroism on Monday.

According to his father Nasser Murad, his condition is improving but the bullet lodged in his head may cause him problems with his sight.

"Thank God that the bullets in his back did not hit his spine," his father added.

Nasser Murad told local media his son had returned to Lebanon to settle permanently after emigrating to Australia.

Social media users demanded Saber be given Lebanese nationality, not only because of his heroic deeds but also because his mother is Lebanese.

Lebanon is one of 27 countries worldwide, including most of the Arab world, that limit a woman's ability to pass citizenship down to their family.

Nasser Murad told Lebanese news site Bint Jbeil that an official from the internal security forces requested personal information about his son, in order to put him on a list for citizenship, which occurs uniquely by presidential order.

Lebanese law is especially strict surrounding issues of nationality, which prevents the estimated 450,000 Palestinians and more than 1 million Syrians that have taken refuge in Lebanon from acquiring citizenship.

Refugees are also prevented from acquiring work permits and are subject to rampant and systemic discrimination.

Murad's case echoes that of Malian migrant Mamoudou Gassama, who was granted French citizenship from President Emmanuel Macron himself after a video of him scaling four stories of a building to rescue a child dangling from a balcony went viral.

However the act drew criticism from some who argued that migrants and refugees shouldn't have to put their lives on the line and act like superheroes just to be seen as deserving of basic rights.

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