UPDATE:

ATHENS: Cyprus broadcasting (CYBC) reported that the hijacker of an EgyptAir plane that was forced to land in Cyprus on Tuesday may have personal motives.

As identified by the state news agency MENA, Egyptian national called Ibrahim Samaha, had an ex-wife in Cyprus, CYBC said.

Witnesses said the hijacker threw a letter on the apron of the airport in Larnaca, written in Arabic, asking that it be delivered to his ex-wife, who is Cypriot.

Egyptair passenger plane hijacked, forced to Cyprus

CAIRO/ ATHENS: EgyptAir said negotiations had resulted in the release of all passengers on the hijacked Egyptian plane except for five foreigners and the crew.

"The negotiations with the hijacker have resulted in the release of all the plane passengers with the exception of the crew and five foreigners," the airline said in a statement.

Negotiations with the Hijacker result in the release of all the passengers, except the crew and four foreigners.

— EGYPTAIR (@EGYPTAIR) March 29, 2016

About 30 to 40 passengers onboard a hijacked EgyptAir plane that was forced to land in Cyprus were released, Cyprus state media reported on Tuesday.

Earlier, the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation reported that 55 passengers were on board and a crew of seven.