Hezbollah fired on army helicopter 'by mistake'

Beirut: The Lebanese group Hezbollah opened fire on an army helicopter, mistaking it for an Israeli craft, reported a top Lebanese newspaper on Friday.

The As Safir newspaper quoted anonymous sources saying the gunmen mistook the helicopter for an Israeli aircraft and opened fire, killing the navigator.

Hezbollah described the Thursday incident in a statement as "very unfortunate and painful."

Hezbollah also surrendered a member suspected of shooting the Lebanese helicopter.

Military court magistrate Jean Fahd refused on Friday to identify the suspect, but said that the man was surrendered to authorities by Hezbollah.

Hezbollah said will cooperate to the "maximum extent" with the army and judicial authorities in investigation into the incident at Iqlim Al Tuffah.

The slain navigator, First Lieutenant Samer Hanna was buried on Friday in his hometown of Tanourin, north of Beirut, according to the state-run news agency.