Israeli Soldier Kills Self During Ceremony

French, Israeli PMs Rushed To Safety; Police Deny Assassination Attempt Reports

(AP)  An Israeli police officer fatally shot himself Tuesday at an airport departure ceremony for French President Nicolas Sarkozy, sparking fear of an assassination attempt and prompting bodyguards to whisk away Sarkozy and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, officials said.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said there had been no assassination attempt on the French leader.

Another police official said the shooting was a suicide, while a third said it may have been accidental.

Dark-suited men quickly ushered Sarkozy and his wife up the stairs of their plane. At the same time, security guards with guns drawn rushed Olmert and Israeli President Shimon Peres toward their cars.

Sarkozy's wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, rushed up the stairs ahead of her husband.

The shooting occurred while a military band was playing, and the leaders apparently didn't hear anything.

The incident was over within minutes, and Olmert boarded the plane to inform Sarkozy what had transpired, witnesses said.

Police spokesman Shlomi Sagi confirmed that a policeman guarding the airport committed suicide just as Sarkozy was about to board his plane.

Officials said he shot himself in the head.

The area police commander, Nissim Mor, said police were looking into the incident.

"We are currently investigating the circumstances to see whether it was suicide or if he accidentally discharged his weapon," he said. "His mission was to secure an area to prevent people from reaching the ceremony."

Sarkozy's three-day trip to Israel was meant to improve relations between the two countries.

French presidential spokesman Franck Louvrier could not be reached for comment on his mobile phone. Another presidential spokesman who was on a separate scheduled flight out of Tel Aviv said he knew nothing about the incident.

[tootall10142]

Dont those french look real pretty in thier uniforms ? They should they never get them dirty!

[al94147]

There are several possibilities here and suicide is the least likely. Assassination attempt on Olmert...most likely...was he the shooter or killed defending? Attempt on Sarkozy...shooter or killed defending? We will not likely know the answer, but most of the reaction here is not very informative or imaginative. A good spy novelist couldn''t have written a better plot...no one would believe it! Cops and Soldiers don''t commit public suicide as a rule. It''s odd. But we are likely to never know the real facts unless we read the novel -- soon to be published and found on-line or in a book store near you!

[al94147]

There are several possibilities here and suicide is the least likely. Assassination attempt on Olmert...most likely...was he the shooter or killed defending? Attempt on Sarkozy...shooter or killed defending? We will not likely know the answer, but most of the reaction here is not very informative or imaginative. A good spy novelist couldn''t have written a better plot...no one would believe it! Cops and Soldiers don''t commit public suicide as a rule. It''s odd. But we are likely to never know the real facts unless we read the novel -- soon to be published and found on-line or in a book store near you!

[al94147]

There are several possibilities here and suicide is the least likely. Assassination attempt on Olmert...most likely...was he the shooter or killed defending? Attempt on Sarkozy...shooter or killed defending? We will not likely know the answer, but most of the reaction here is not very informative or imaginative. A good spy novelist couldn''t have written a better plot...no one would believe it! Cops and Soldiers don''t commit public suicide as a rule. It''s odd. But we are likely to never know the real facts unless we read the novel -- soon to be published and found on-line or in a book store near you!

[al94147]

There are several possibilities here and suicide is the least likely. Assassination attempt on Olmert...most likely...was he the shooter or killed defending? Attempt on Sarkozy...shooter or killed defending? We will not likely know the answer, but most of the reaction here is not very informative or imaginative. A good spy novelist couldn''t have written a better plot...no one would believe it! Cops and Soldiers don''t commit public suicide as a rule. It''s odd. But we are likely to never know the real facts unless we read the novel -- soon to be published and found on-line or in a book store near you!

[al94147]

There are several possibilities here and suicide is the least likely. Assassination attempt on Olmert...most likely...was he the shooter or killed defending? Attempt on Sarkozy...shooter or killed defending? We will not likely know the answer, but most of the reaction here is not very informative or imaginative. A good spy novelist couldn''t have written a better plot...no one would believe it! Cops and Soldiers don''t commit public suicide as a rule. It''s odd. But we are likely to never know the real facts unless we read the novel -- soon to be published and found on-line or in a book store near you!

[al94147]

There are several possibilities here and suicide is the least likely. Assassination attempt on Olmert...most likely...was he the shooter or killed defending? Attempt on Sarkozy...shooter or killed defending? We will not likely know the answer, but most of the reaction here is not very informative or imaginative. A good spy novelist couldn''t have written a better plot...no one would believe it! Cops and Soldiers don''t commit public suicide as a rule. It''s odd. But we are likely to never know the real facts unless we read the novel -- soon to be published and found on-line or in a book store near you!

[al94147]

There are several possibilities here and suicide is the least likely. Assassination attempt on Olmert...most likely...was he the shooter or killed defending? Attempt on Sarkozy...shooter or killed defending? We will not likely know the answer, but most of the reaction here is not very informative or imaginative. A good spy novelist couldn''t have written a better plot...no one would believe it! Cops and Soldiers don''t commit public suicide as a rule. It''s odd. But we are likely to never know the real facts unless we read the novel -- soon to be published and found on-line or in a book store near you!

[al94147]

There are several possibilities here and suicide is the least likely. Assassination attempt on Olmert...most likely...was he the shooter or killed defending? Attempt on Sarkozy...shooter or killed defending? We will not likely know the answer, but most of the reaction here is not very informative or imaginative. A good spy novelist couldn''t have written a better plot...no one would believe it! Cops and Soldiers don''t commit public suicide as a rule. It''s odd. But we are likely to never know the real facts unless we read the novel -- soon to be published and found on-line or in a book store near you!

[al94147]

There are several possibilities here and suicide is the least likely. Assassination attempt on Olmert...most likely...was he the shooter or killed defending? Attempt on Sarkozy...shooter or killed defending? We will not likely know the answer, but most of the reaction here is not very informative or imaginative. A good spy novelist couldn''t have written a better plot...no one would believe it! Cops and Soldiers don''t commit public suicide as a rule. It''s odd. But we are likely to never know the real facts unless we read the novel -- soon to be published and found on-line or in a book store near you!