Beirut - The Lebanese army handed over an Israeli citizen who entered Lebanon illegally to UN peacekeepers who in turn transferred him to Israel on Friday, police said.

The man crossed the heavily guarded southern border by foot on Tuesday, but was caught by Lebanese troops and underwent three days of interrogation, the police said.

According to a Lebanese military source, the man also underwent medical checkups that determined he was mentally unstable.

Lebanon and Israel are in a state of war, thus, it is illegal for citizens to cross the border.

Andrea Teneti, UN spokesman in southern Lebanon, confirmed that the Israeli was handed over to the Israeli authorities at the Naqoura border crossing point. (dpa)