The crew members were still held by the hijackers on board, the report said.

    The Sudanese passenger plane were hijacked on Tuesday en route from Niyala, the capital city of Sudan’s South Darfur State, to the capital Khartoum. The plane later landed at Al-Kafra Airport in southeastern Libya.

    The hijacked airliner belongs to a private company, Sun Air, and was carrying 95 people, including eight crew and 87 passengers, Libya’s official JANA news agency said.

    Negotiations between Libyan authorities and the hijackers led to the release of all passengers, JANA said.

    The hijackers have earlier demanded to refuel the plane so that it can fly to Paris, JANA said, quoting Khaled Sassia, head of the airport in Al-Kafra.

    The hijackers also asked for maps to guide their flight path from Al-Kafra to Paris, it added.

    LUSAKA, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) — The Financial Markets Association of Zambia (FMAZ) expects a short-term volatility in Zambian currency, Kwacha, before Zambia holds fresh presidential by-elections, Zambia Daily Mail reported Wednesday.

    Kwacha lost 225 points (or 6.6 per cent) due to anxiety and uncertainty in the market following the death of President Levy Mwanawasa on Aug 19.

    FMAZ president Carmen Hachandi said news of the death of President Mwanawasa affected negatively the local currency last week.

    However, she was quick to point out that the Bank of Zambia had pledged to support the foreign exchange market with any large orders on a need basis.

    Hachandi said on Aug. 18 that the inter-bank rate traded at 3,390 and 3,410 kwacha for buying and selling.

    LUSAKA, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) — The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has assured the nation that it will conduct a credible presidential by-election following the death of President Levy Mwanawasa, Zambia Daily Mail reported Wednesday.

    ECZ director Dan Kalale said the biggest challenge the commission faces is the limited time it has.