Lebanese Troops Fire on Israeli Warplanes

BEIRUT, Lebanon – Lebanese troops opened fire Thursday on Israeli warplanes flying low over southern Lebanon, but no hits were reported, Lebanese officials said.

Lebanese soldiers opened up with machine guns and light anti-aircraft weapons mounted on armored vehicles at two planes that flew by just east of Marjayoun near the border at midmorning, a Lebanese security official said.

It was the first time Lebanese troops had opened fire on Israeli aircraft since an Aug. 14, 2006 cease-fire ended a month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas.

It is also the first time since February that the Lebanese army, which deployed in the south after the fighting, has fired on the Israelis.