Cypriot President: Egyptian hijacking was not terror-related

The office of Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades released a statement Tuesday noon affirming that the hijacking of Egyptair MS181 Tuesday between Alexandria and Cairo was not terror-related. Cairo has not made any comment on the motivation of Ibrahim Samaha, except to indicate that he may not be the only hijacker. A personal motive is suggested by unconfirmed media reports that he has dual Egyptian-US citizenship, is a professor of veterinary medicine from Atlanta University, that his ex-wife lives in Cyprus and that he is negotiating for political asylum against the release of the four Britons and crew still held hostage on the plane after he released the rest of the passengers.