Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has said that the hijacking of an EgyptAir plane that landed at Larnaca airport was not linked to terrorism.

Unconfirmed reports have suggested the lone hijacker wanted to talk to his estranged wife in Cyprus.

But others say he is demanding the release of female prisoners in Egypt.

When asked to confirm whether the incident was over a woman, Mr Anastasiades laughed and said: "Always there is a woman involved."