The hijackers of a Russian aircraft have freed over 20 women and children and the crisis may end soon, a senior Saudi official said.
"More than 20 women and children have been released. They are now in our care," Saudi Civil Aviation director Mr Ali al-Khalaf said.
"We have a team negotiating with the group and dealing with them within the appropriate rules. The crisis is on its way to resolution, God willing," he said.
Mr Khalaf said all the women and children were in good health. He declined to give further details.
According to Vnukovo Airlines, owners of the Tupolev 154 aircraft, the hijackers demanded an end to Russia's military campaign in Chechnya.
A pro-Chechen press agency, which says it is the outlet for statements by separatist forces in Chechnya, said rebels were not linked to the hijack, however.
A Saudi security official said there is no intention of raiding the plane and that if the passengers are not released soon, the pilot will be ordered to take off.
Vnukovo Airlines said the plane, originally bound for Moscow, was carrying 162 passengers, 98 of them Russian, and 12 crew. The Russian Foreign Ministry said there were 59 Turks on board. The nationalities of others on board were unknown.