World

Israeli Guard Kills Himself During Sarkozy Farewell

by Rob Walker | June 24, 2008 at 10:51 am

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A paramilitary police officer security patrol at the airport where French president Nicolas Sarkozy and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert were saying their good-byes shot himself in the head today, causing a scurry from the area by the respective leaders.

Sarkozy was rushed to the waiting plane, while Olmert ran to armoured cars and left the area. When it was established there was no threat to the two leaders, they returned and finished their good-bye, while police and investigators canvassed the scene.

Officials stated immediately afterwards that it was 'in no way an assasination attempt'.

Associated Press - BEN-GURION AIRPORT/ISRAEL: An Israeli police officer fatally shot himself in the head on Tuesday at an airport departure ceremony for French President Nicolas Sarkozy, authorities said, sparking fear of an assassination attempt and prompting bodyguards to whisk Sarkozy and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert away from the scene.

The shooting occurred while a military band was playing, and the leaders apparently didn't hear anything. Dark-suited men then quickly ushered Sarkozy and his wife up the stairs of their plane. In a panic, Sarkozy's wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, rushed up the stairs ahead of her husband.

At the same time, security guards, with their guns drawn, rushed Olmert and Israeli President Shimon Peres toward their cars. The incident was over within minutes, and Olmert returned and boarded the plane to inform Sarkozy what had transpired, witnesses said.

TEL AVIV - French President Nicolas Sarkozy was rushed off to his plane on Tuesday when a shot rang out as an Israeli policeman committed suicide during an airport departure ceremony.
"A border policeman committed suicide at Ben Gurion airport at the time when French President Sarkozy was about to leave Israel," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP.

Confusion over where the shots came from caused moments of panic and bodyguards rushed Sarkozy and first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy to their plane at Ben Gurion airport.

BEN-GURION AIRPORT, Israel (Reuters) - An Israeli guard on the perimeter of a farewell airport ceremony for French President Nicolas Sarkozy shot himself dead on Tuesday, causing a security stir but not endangering the visiting leader, police said.