[28/November/2009]

SANA'A, Nov. 28 (Saba) - Police at the Sana'a International Airport foiled on Saturday an attempt to hijack a Yemenia airplane that has left for Cairo.

The would-be hijacker, a young man aged 24, came from Yemen's northern province of Saada, where the army has been fighting the Houthi insurgents since 2004, according to the Interior Ministry's website.

Police checked up his two bags and found a hand grenade and a loaded firearm inside them.

Initially, he confessed to the failed hijack, saying the attempt was aimed at pressuring the authorities to meet 'just personal demands.'

Police didn't rule out the man was a Houthi follower.

He was turned over to interrogators, who would find out the motives for the first-of-its kind attempt in the country and if others were involved in it.

Such incidents are uncommon in Yemen.

FR
Saba