Ethiopian plane hijacked

KHARTOUM, Sudan -- An Ethiopian plane has been hijacked and ordered to land in Sudan, according to state-run Sudan television.

Sudanese Interior Minister Abdul Rahim told CNN there were nine hijackers, and about 50 people aboard the plane.

He said that so far, the only request he knew that the hijackers had made was for water.

AUDIO Abdul Rahim, Sudanese Interior Minister: hijackers aims unclear 470K/43.secs. AIFF or WAV sound

Sudanese television reported the hijackers were Addis Ababa University students who wanted to talk with diplomats from the United States or Britain.

The TV report said the Sudanese government had set up a committee to negotiate with the hijackers "in order to protect the passengers from any harm."

The flight originated in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, and landed at Khartoum airport at 6:20 p.m., according to Sudanese television.

Last week, security forces clashed with stone-throwing youths in Addis Ababa in what was the worst violence in Ethiopia's capital since 1993.

At least 41 people were reported killed in the clashes which were apparently sparked by week-long protests by university students demanding greater academic freedom.

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