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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/mar/29/egyptair-hijack-plane-from-alexandria-to-cairo-lands-in-cyprus-live
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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| EgyptAir hijacker at Cyprus airport 'wants to contact ex-wife' – live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 9.38am BST | |
| 09:38 | |
| Some more images from Larnaca. | |
| 9.36am BST | |
| 09:36 | |
| Ruth Michaelson | |
| Ruth Michaelson in Cairo has another update: | |
| President Abdel Fattah al Sisi has spoken with the president of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, according to a statement by the Egyptian presidency. | |
| They are “review[ing] the situation with regard to the hijacked Egyptian aircraft”, it said. Sisi reportedly “stressed Egypt’s commitment to the safety and security of all passengers on board the plane, noting that it is taking all necessary measures to ensure this.” | |
| Both countries stressed their commitment to cooperation over the incident. | |
| 9.34am BST | |
| 09:34 | |
| Another unconfirmed report via Reuters: | |
| More passengers seen leaving hijacked EgyptAir aircraft in Larnaca – Cyprus state broadcaster. | |
| 9.32am BST | |
| 09:32 | |
| Helena Smith | |
| Helena Smith has more on the Cypriot president’s comments. | |
| Addressing reporters with visiting European Parliament president, Martin Schulz, the Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades ruled out terrorism being behind the hijacking confirming instead that it had been instigated by a love-sick man bent on reuniting with his former Cypriot wife. “It’s all to do with a woman,” said the Cypriot president. “We are doing everything to release the hostages.” | |
| The hijacker is described in some reports as a Lebanese university professor. The woman he names as his ex-wife is now being brought to the airport to take part in the negotiations. | |
| 9.28am BST | |
| 09:28 | |
| Ruth Michaelson in Cairo has a response from Egypt’s foreign ministry about the reports of the hijacker’s supposed motive: | |
| Officials at Egypt’s ministry of foreign affairs responded to reports that the hijacker’s motives are personal, saying they were aware of the reports that he is seeking asylum and discussing his ex wife. “He’s not a terrorist, he’s an idiot. Terrorists are crazy but they aren’t stupid. This guy is,” they said. | |
| 9.25am BST | |
| 09:25 | |
| Cyprus president confirms personal motive for hijack | |
| Helena Smith says the Cyprus president, Nikos Anastasiades, confirms the personal motive. | |
| #cyprus pres nikos anastasiades confirms tt terrorism not behind hijacking but love-sick romeo. "it's 2 do w a woman!" | |
| 9.15am BST | |
| 09:15 | |
| More on the hijacker from Helena Smith. | |
| #cyprus #egypt air hijacker now being described as Lebanese: his demand political asylum, according to Cypriot police officials | |
| 9.13am BST | |
| 09:13 | |
| Hijacker may have personal motives: Cyprus TV | |
| The Cyprus Broadcasting Service, the island’s public TV and radio provider, has said it is believed the hijacker might have personal rather than political motives. | |
| He has an ex-wife in Cyprus, it said, reporting that witnesses said the man threw a letter from the plane in Larnaca, written in Arabic, asking that it be delivered to his ex-wife, who is a Cypriot. | |
| This is all, it needs to be stressed, still unconfirmed. | |
| 8.59am BST | 8.59am BST |
| 08:59 | 08:59 |
| Reuters quotes Egypt’s state news agency, MENA, as also naming the hijacker as an Egyptian national called Ibrahim Samaha. | Reuters quotes Egypt’s state news agency, MENA, as also naming the hijacker as an Egyptian national called Ibrahim Samaha. |
| A Reuters reporter has more from unconfirmed Egyptian media reports. | A Reuters reporter has more from unconfirmed Egyptian media reports. |
| TV says #EgyptAirHijack perpetrator seeking asylum in #Cyprus. Don't think he'll get it now. Not looking like an #ISIS attack #Egypt | TV says #EgyptAirHijack perpetrator seeking asylum in #Cyprus. Don't think he'll get it now. Not looking like an #ISIS attack #Egypt |
| 8.56am BST | 8.56am BST |
| 08:56 | 08:56 |
| Ruth Michaelson in Cairo says the British embassy is looking into reports that the four foreign nationals remaining on the plane are Britons. | Ruth Michaelson in Cairo says the British embassy is looking into reports that the four foreign nationals remaining on the plane are Britons. |
| It points people to this update on its Facebook page, which reads: | It points people to this update on its Facebook page, which reads: |
| We are aware of reports of a plane hijacking in Egypt and are investigating urgently with the Egyptian and Cypriot authorities. If you are concerned about a UK national please call 0020227916000. | We are aware of reports of a plane hijacking in Egypt and are investigating urgently with the Egyptian and Cypriot authorities. If you are concerned about a UK national please call 0020227916000. |
| 8.52am BST | 8.52am BST |
| 08:52 | 08:52 |
| Here’s some video footage of the released passengers leaving the plane. | Here’s some video footage of the released passengers leaving the plane. |