Dubai-based Sudanese network funded by Sudan 's government , said passengers on the plane include some officials from the interim government of Darfur , Sudan 's war-torn region . Libya 's state-run Jamahirya television , citing civil aviation sources , reported that the hijacked plane landed in Kufra , in eastern Libya . `` We are in contact with Libyan officials because of this dangerous event , '' Murtada Hassam Jumaa , an official with Sun Air airlines , told Al-Shuruq . `` We want to resolve this situation as soon as we can in a way where we can guarantee the safety of all our passengers . '' Asked whether the airline received any threat before the flight took off , he said , `` There were no signs of any terrorist or criminal activity on the plane . We checked the plane like we do with all other planes . We followed the regular security checkup . We still do n't have any information on what type of weapons were used . '' Jumaa also said 87 passengers were on board the plane . The hijacking follows a Monday attack involving Sudanese government troops at the Kalma refugee
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A Sudanese plane that was hijacked shortly after taking off from Nyala in the country 's Darfur region , presumably by rebels , has landed in Kufra , Libya , said Sudan 's ambassador to the United States . `` I believe since it started in the sovereign state of Darfur . ... It is more likely something to do with the rebels in that area , '' John Ukec said . About 87 passengers and 10 crew members are thought to be on board , Ukec said . It was unclear how many hijackers were on board . The hijacker or hijackers wanted to land the plane in Egypt , but the Egyptian government refused them permission , Ukec said . However , an Egyptian civil aviation official disputed that . `` The hijacked plane never entered Egyptian airspace , '' said Capt. Shirbeeni , the head of Egypt 's civil aviation control . `` It never requested to land on Egyptian soil . ... We understand that it had a tank that would allow it to fly for four hours . It flew directly toward Kufra . '' A reporter from Al-Shuruq , a