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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 6 Version 7
EgyptAir hijacker at Cyprus airport 'wants to contact ex-wife' – live EgyptAir hijacking: seven still on plane as negotiations continue – live
(35 minutes later)
11.48am BST
11:48
Some more pictures from the scene.
11.34am BST
11:34
Cyprus foreign ministry names hijacker
The foreign ministry of Cyprus has given a new name for the hijacker. Since that the last name provided in reports turned out to be a passenger on the plane, this should be treated with a bit of caution.
The #hijacker of #MS181 is Seif Eldin Mustafa. The situation is still ongoing.
11.31am BST
11:31
Egypt’s foreign ministry has denied that any of its spokespeople gave the very colourful, “He’s not a terrorist, he’s an idiot” quote about the hijacker. However, Ruth Michaelson, to whom the quote was given, notes that it came from an official rather than an official spokesperson. The quote came in an electronic chat message, she adds.
Spokesperson for Egypt's Foreign Ministry denied issuing any statements or remarks to @guardian regarding hijacking of EgyptAir flight today
11.17am BST11.17am BST
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Hijacker demands release of prisoners: reportHijacker demands release of prisoners: report
According to the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, via Reuters, the hijacker has now made a political demand: the release of some unspecified female prisoners in Egypt.According to the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, via Reuters, the hijacker has now made a political demand: the release of some unspecified female prisoners in Egypt.
This remain unconfirmed.This remain unconfirmed.
11.13am BST11.13am BST
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SummarySummary
Such is the fast-changing nature of this story, it’s time for a brief rundown on what we know so far:Such is the fast-changing nature of this story, it’s time for a brief rundown on what we know so far:
10.43am BST10.43am BST
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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.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 BST10.29am BST
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It is, I should add, Egypt’s minister of civil aviation who has been speaking. AFP is naming him as Sherif Fathy.It is, I should add, Egypt’s minister of civil aviation who has been speaking. AFP is naming him as Sherif Fathy.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.50am BSTat 10.50am BST
10.28am BST10.28am BST
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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.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 BST10.25am BST
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Egypt press conference beginsEgypt 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.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.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.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 BST10.19am BST
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Ibrahim Samaha denies he is hijacker: reportIbrahim 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.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.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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.21am BSTat 10.21am BST
10.12am BST10.12am BST
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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
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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
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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
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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
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News agencies and other reports are naming the hijacker as Ibrahim Abdel Tawwab Samaha, a professor of veterinary medicine at Alexandria university.News agencies and other reports are naming the hijacker as Ibrahim Abdel Tawwab Samaha, a professor of veterinary medicine at Alexandria university.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.33am BSTat 10.33am BST
9.44am BST9.44am BST
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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
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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
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Some more images from Larnaca.Some more images from Larnaca.