Mauritania arrests plane hijacker

By Mohamed al-Bakkay

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AA) – Mauritanian security forces on Thursday arrested a suspect who boarded a grounded plane and threatened to set it on fire, according to the country’s state news agency.

“The hijacking has ended without any losses,” the agency said.

According to the broadcaster, the suspect, claiming to be an American citizen, boarded an empty plane owned by Mauritania Airlines at the Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport and threatened to set it ablaze.

American media said the suspect said he had an issue with Mauritania, but without providing any further details.

*Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara