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Ibrahim Samaha: What we know about man named as hijacker claiming to have suicide bomb on EgyptAir plane Ibrahim Samaha: What we know about man named as hijacker claiming to have suicide bomb on EgyptAir plane
(35 minutes later)
Egyptian authorities have named the suspected hijacker who allegedly threatened a pilot with a suicide bomb as Ibrahim Samaha.Egyptian authorities have named the suspected hijacker who allegedly threatened a pilot with a suicide bomb as Ibrahim Samaha.
State television reported that the Egyptian national is 27 or 28 years old and had been sat in 38K on EgyptAir flight from Alexandria to Cairo on Tuesday morning.State television reported that the Egyptian national is 27 or 28 years old and had been sat in 38K on EgyptAir flight from Alexandria to Cairo on Tuesday morning.
The plane landed in Cyprus’ Larnaca airport shortly before 9am local time and negotiations were underway to release crew members and four foreigners held hostage on board.The plane landed in Cyprus’ Larnaca airport shortly before 9am local time and negotiations were underway to release crew members and four foreigners held hostage on board.
Mustafa Bakry, an Egyptian MP, wrote on Twitter that Samaha was a visiting professor at the a university in Atlanta in the US.Mustafa Bakry, an Egyptian MP, wrote on Twitter that Samaha was a visiting professor at the a university in Atlanta in the US.
State media reported that he had dueal nationality with the US and taught veterinary medicine at Alexandria University.
While initial reports claimed he was demanding “political asylum”, Cyprus broadcasting (CYBC) reported that the hijacker, may have personal motives and has an ex-wife on the island.While initial reports claimed he was demanding “political asylum”, Cyprus broadcasting (CYBC) reported that the hijacker, may have personal motives and has an ex-wife on the island.
Witnesses said the suspect threw a letter on to the airport tarmac in Larnaca, written in Arabic, asking that it be delivered to the woman, who is Cypriot.Witnesses said the suspect threw a letter on to the airport tarmac in Larnaca, written in Arabic, asking that it be delivered to the woman, who is Cypriot.
She was reportedly being transported to the airport by officials as the crisis continued.She was reportedly being transported to the airport by officials as the crisis continued.
Amid growing speculation about the hijacker's motives, the Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said the Egypt plane hijacking was not related to “terrorism”.
The Guardian quoted a foreign ministry official in Cairo as saying: “He's not a terrorist, he's an idiot. Terrorists are crazy but they aren't stupid. This guy is.”
A separate Cyprus government official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation, said the man “seems (to be) in love.” 
EgyptAir said the plane’s pilot was threatened by a man claiming to be wearing a suicide vest and diverted from its destination in the Egyptian capital.EgyptAir said the plane’s pilot was threatened by a man claiming to be wearing a suicide vest and diverted from its destination in the Egyptian capital.
A spokesperson for the Egyptian government said the hijacker wanted to travel to Istanbul but decided on Cyprus when he was told there was not enough fuel for the journey.A spokesperson for the Egyptian government said the hijacker wanted to travel to Istanbul but decided on Cyprus when he was told there was not enough fuel for the journey.
Hossam al-Queish, also told the private CBC TV network that authorities could not confirm that the hijacker had explosives on him. Hossam al-Queish, also told the private CBC TV network that authorities could not confirm that the hijacker had explosives on him. 
The channel showed a photo appearing to show Samaha standing inside an aircraft. The channel showed a photo appearing to show Samaha standing inside an aircraft. 
Hossni Hassan, the director of Borg El Arab Airport, said there were 26 foreigners on board, including eight Americans, four Britons, four Dutch, two Belgians, a French national, an Italian, two Greeks and one Syrian, with three other foreigners unidentified. Hossni Hassan, the director of Borg El Arab Airport, said there were 26 foreigners on board, including eight Americans, four Britons, four Dutch, two Belgians, a French national, an Italian, two Greeks and one Syrian, with three other foreigners unidentified. 
The nationalities of the four foreign hostages remaining on board were unclear.The nationalities of the four foreign hostages remaining on board were unclear.
Additional reporting by AP