Cypriot officials name EgyptAir hijacker, negotiations ongoing

Cypriot officials have named the hijacker who took over EgyptAir Flight MS181: Seif Eldin Mustafa. According to the Cypriot president, the hijacking is not a terrorist incident — Mustafa is reportedly seeking to speak to his estranged wife, BBC reports. Other reports say Mustafa is demanding the release of female prisoners in Egypt. Roughly seven people are believed to remain on the jet.

EgyptAir Flight MS181 was hijacked earlier while traveling between Alexandria and Cairo, and diverted to Cyprus by a passenger who told the pilot he was wearing an explosive belt. Many of the passengers were freed when the plane landed in Cyprus; negotiations with the hijacker are ongoing.

"We are doing our utmost in order for everyone to be released and safe," Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up