An Egyptair domestic flight from Alexandria to Cairo was hijacked on Tuesday and forced to land in Cyprus by a man apparently distressed over a family matter, Egyptian officials said.
Citing security sources, Cypriot state media said that the motives of the hijacker appeared personal and he had asked to contact his ex-wife, who lives in Cyprus.
"It is not something which has to do with terrorism," Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades told reporters.
Asked if a woman was involved he said "There is always a woman involved."
The hijacking occurred in Cyprus's flight information region and the airliner was diverted to Larnaca.
After the EgyptAir plane landed at Larnaca airport, the hijacker released all the people onboard except four foreign passengers and the crew following negotiations, EgyptAir said.
About 60 people, including seven crew, had been onboard the Airbus 320, Egyptian and Cypriot officials said.
The plane was an Airbus 320, Egypt's aviation ministry said.
The ministry in a statement said pilot Omar al-Gammal had informed authorities that he was threatened by a passenger who possessed a suicide belt and forced him to land in Larnaca.
CYBC said the airplane was parked at an apron at Larnaca airport. The hijacker asked police to back away from the aircraft, it said.
Israel scrambled warplanes in its airspace as a precaution in response to the plane hijacking, according to an Israeli military source.