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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 4 Version 5
EgyptAir hijacker at Cyprus airport 'wants to contact ex-wife' – live EgyptAir hijacker at Cyprus airport 'wants to contact ex-wife' – live
(35 minutes later)
10.43am BST
10:43
Why, the minister is asked, did the plane’s captain yield to the demands of a hijacker who might possibly have had a fake suicide belt? That, he responds, is a matter for a later investigation, once the urgent situation is over. The press conference ends.
10.29am BST
10:29
It is, I should add, Egypt’s minister of civil aviation who has been speaking.
10.28am BST
10:28
The official says that as yet the hijacker’s demands remain unknown, or at least cannot be stated publicly. “Up to now we have not had any effective demands that we can announce,” he says.
10.25am BST
10:25
Egypt press conference begins
The press conference in Egypt has begun. An as yet-unnamed official speaks to confirm that the plane was hijacked by a man who claimed to have a suicide belt, and asked for the plane to go to either Turkey or Cyprus.
There were 55 people of “various nationalities” on board, the official said. They do not yet know if the suicide belt is real, but the siege is being dealt with as if it is.
Now on the plane are seven people, the official says: the captain and co-pilot, a female crew member, a security officer and three passengers.
10.19am BST
10:19
Ibrahim Samaha denies he is hijacker: report
BBC News television is saying that the man identified as the hijacker, Ibrahim Samaha, a professor of veterinary medicine, has spoken out to say the reports are wrong and he was one of the passengers, now freed.
Comments purportedly from Samaha and read out by the BBC said passengers initially did not know the plane had been seized. Crew took their passports and they noticed the plane was gaining height rather than descending to Cairo. They were then told they were going to Cyprus, he said.
Updated
at 10.21am BST
10.12am BST10.12am BST
10:1210:12
We’re due a news conference with officials in Egypt soon. In the interim, Helena Smith says the woman identified as the hijacker’s ex-wife is now at Larnaca airport to help negotiate with him.We’re due a news conference with officials in Egypt soon. In the interim, Helena Smith says the woman identified as the hijacker’s ex-wife is now at Larnaca airport to help negotiate with him.
ex wife of man behind #egypt air hijacking now at #larnaka airport where #cypriot gov hopes she'll talk sense 2 love-sick former partnerex wife of man behind #egypt air hijacking now at #larnaka airport where #cypriot gov hopes she'll talk sense 2 love-sick former partner
10.11am BST10.11am BST
10:1110:11
Here’s an image of some of the passengers freed earlier from the hijacked flight.Here’s an image of some of the passengers freed earlier from the hijacked flight.
10.04am BST10.04am BST
10:0410:04
More on the possible identities of those left on board the plane from Helena Smith.More on the possible identities of those left on board the plane from Helena Smith.
hijacked #egyptair plane being kept 2 perimeter of #larnaka airport: 2 britons, 1 italian, 1 irishman sd 2 b among those still on boardhijacked #egyptair plane being kept 2 perimeter of #larnaka airport: 2 britons, 1 italian, 1 irishman sd 2 b among those still on board
9.52am BST9.52am BST
09:5209:52
The additional people seen leaving the aircraft earlier appear to be freed crew members. However, it remains unclear how many remain on the plane.The additional people seen leaving the aircraft earlier appear to be freed crew members. However, it remains unclear how many remain on the plane.
#Cyprus #egypt air hijacking: 5 crew members now released. reports tt up to 18 passengers still aboard A320 at #larnaka airport#Cyprus #egypt air hijacking: 5 crew members now released. reports tt up to 18 passengers still aboard A320 at #larnaka airport
9.48am BST9.48am BST
09:4809:48
News agencies and other reports are naming the hijacker as Ibrahim Abdel Tawwab Samaha, a professor of veterinary medicine at Alexandria university. Below is a screen grab via Egyptian state TV (and Sky News) which is claimed to show the man on the plane. News agencies and other reports are naming the hijacker as Ibrahim Abdel Tawwab Samaha, a professor of veterinary medicine at Alexandria university.
Updated
at 10.33am BST
9.44am BST9.44am BST
09:4409:44
Ruth MichaelsonRuth Michaelson
Ruth Michaelson in Cairo reports that Egypt’s foreign ministry says it believes the hijacker’s supposed explosives belt might be a fake:Ruth Michaelson in Cairo reports that Egypt’s foreign ministry says it believes the hijacker’s supposed explosives belt might be a fake:
Officials at the Egyptian foreign ministry cast doubts on the idea that the hijacker’s explosive belt might be real, given what appears to be personal motives for highjacking the plane. They added that this incident does not undermine Egypt hiring the British firm Control Risks earlier this year to assess airport security across three airports in the country following the downing of Metrojet 7K9268 in October, if the explosives prove to be fake.Officials at the Egyptian foreign ministry cast doubts on the idea that the hijacker’s explosive belt might be real, given what appears to be personal motives for highjacking the plane. They added that this incident does not undermine Egypt hiring the British firm Control Risks earlier this year to assess airport security across three airports in the country following the downing of Metrojet 7K9268 in October, if the explosives prove to be fake.
9.41am BST9.41am BST
09:4109:41
The BBC is quoting the head of Alexandria’s Borg El Arab Airport, where the flight departed, as saying the plane was carrying 30 Egyptian nationals, eight Americans, four Britons, two Belgians, one Italian and four Dutch people.The BBC is quoting the head of Alexandria’s Borg El Arab Airport, where the flight departed, as saying the plane was carrying 30 Egyptian nationals, eight Americans, four Britons, two Belgians, one Italian and four Dutch people.
9.38am BST9.38am BST
09:3809:38
Some more images from Larnaca.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
08:59
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.
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
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.
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.
8.52am BST
08:52
Here’s some video footage of the released passengers leaving the plane.