Libya talks to Sudan jet hijackers after passengers freed

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

TRIPOLI (AFP) — Two hijackers claiming to be Darfur rebels on Wednesday released all 87 passengers from a Sudanese jet at a remote Libyan airport, keeping the crew captive for a reported bid to fly to France.

"All of the passengers have left the plane," a Libyan official told AFP from Kufra oasis where the aircraft was forced to land on Tuesday evening after being hijacked en route from Darfur's main city of Nyala to Khartoum.

"The two hijackers and the seven crew are still inside. We are continuing to negotiate with them," he said, requesting anonymity. A Sudanese official said there were eight crew on board.

Libya denied that the hijackers had been arrested, as announced by the airline's manager.

The jet was granted permission to land by Libyan...