BBC: Confusion has marred French President Nicolas Sarkozy's farewell to Israel, after a soldier shot himself dead during an airport departure ceremony
Mr Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni, were rushed into their plane after the shot. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was also hurried to safety.
The incident at Ben-Gurion airport came at the end of Mr Sarkozy's three-day visit to Israel and the West Bank.
A police spokesman said the security officer had committed suicide.
Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the incident, which happened just as Mr Sarkozy and Ms Bruni were about to board their plane, had posed no threat to the visitors.
He denied reports that it might have been an assassination attempt on the French president. Other reports suggested the soldier may have shot himself accidentally.
Witnesses said the incident was over within minutes and that Mr Olmert had then boarded the Sarkozys' plane to say farewell and explain what had happened. Scare as Sarkozy Departs Israel >>> | June 24, 2008
THE TELEGRAPH:
Israeli Soldier Commits Suicide in front of Nicolas Sarkozy: An Israeli guard shot himself dead at the farewell of Nicolas Sarkozy, sending the French president's wife running for safety amid fears of a terrorist attack >>> By Tim Butcher in Jerusalem | June 25, 2008
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