UPDATE: Cyprus says Egypt Air hijacking not a terrorist incident; passengers freed

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – A hijacker who forced an Egypt Air plane to land in Cyprus on Tuesday has released most of the people on board, except the crew and four foreigners whose nationalities remain unknown, the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) reported.

Meanwhile, Egypt Air said that negotiations with the hijacker had led to the release.

"Negotiations with the Hijacker result in the release of all the passengers, except the crew and four foreigners," the airline announced on Twitter.

Egypt’s MENA news agency identified the hijacker as Ibrahim Samaha. It said he has a Cypriot ex-wife, with whom he asked to speak.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said the hijacking is not being treated as a terrorist incident, CAN reported.

CNA said that 40 passengers on board the plane were rescued by airport teams and it is believed that there are more than one hijacker."An air stair has been attached to the airplane and it is believed that up to 40 persons have been allowed off the plane and taken by airport shuttle to the main building. Two airport fire engines are parked near the aircraft," the agency reported."It is believed that there are more than one hijacker, who have demanded that police withdraw from the airport," it added.

Cypriot media reports said the plane landed at Larnaca airport at 8:50 a.m., after taking off from the city of Alexandria in Egypt. The reports quoted Cyprus police as saying the Airbus A320 plane was commandeered 20 minutes before landing.The demands of the hijacker, or which organization he is from, remain unknown, Cypriot authorities were reported as saying.

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