A farewell ceremony at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport for French President Nicolas Sarkozy descended into chaos Tuesday afternoon when a border policeman stationed 100 to 200 metres from the presidential aircraft discharged his weapon, killing himself.
Reports from the scene said Sarkozy was not in danger, but he and his wife Carla were hustled quickly aboard their waiting aircraft by bodyguards, while President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert were rushed to their bullet-proof vehicles by security men.
Two women soldiers who witnessed the shooting fainted.
The exact circumstances of the border policeman's death were unclear, with police estimating he may have committed suicide.
Only after calm was restored were Peres and Olmert allowed to board Sarkozy's aircraft to bid him farewell, reported dpa.