Security men surround hijacked plane

Saudi security forces have taken positions around a hijacked Russian plane as negotiations resume to end a stand-off with Chechen hijackers.

The men forced the aircraft, carrying 174 people, to land in the holy Saudi city of Medina from Turkey. Hours later, 46 hostages were freed or escaped.

After talks broke down for hours, Saudi authorities resumed negotiations with the hijackers. The hijackers are said to be armed with knives and claim to have a bomb.

After landing, security forces surrounded the aircraft, said Abdul Fatah Mohammad Atta, the Medina airport manager. A Saudi security official said there was no intention of raiding the plane.

Reports on the number of hijackers, identified as Chechens, varied from two to four. It is unclear what the hijackers want. Saudi officials said they had had earlier asked to fly to Afghanistan.

An official at Medina airport said the hijackers had earlier asked authorities to refuel the plane and prepare it for a long flight but later changed their minds.

The hijacking began 30 minutes after the plane, a Tu-154 from Vnukovo Airlines, took off from Istanbul's Ataturk International airport en route to Moscow, with 162 passengers and 12 crew members on board.

The hijackers identified themselves as rebels from the breakaway Russian republic of Chechnya.

Airport officials said the hijackers allowed food and beverages to be taken on board. The passengers were tired and uncomfortable, but appeared to be otherwise well, the officials said.

At Moscow's Vnukovo Airport, anxious relatives and friends waited for loved ones as confusing information about the hijacking blared from TV sets and loudspeakers.