2nd LD Writethru: Alleged Qatari diplomat subdued on board U.S. airliner oil painting
LOS ANGELES, April 7 (Xinhua) -- The FBI was investigating an incident where an alleged Qatari diplomat tried to ignite something on board a United Airlines airliner flying from Washington to Denver, Colorado on Wednesday night, local media outlets reported.
An air marshal smelled smoke and confronted a man emerging from a bathroom who claimed he was trying to set his shoes on fire a half hour before landing, according to reports. The marshal subdued the man and the pilot alerted authorities oil painting including FBI.
It was not known if anything actually was on fire oil painting or if this was simply a joke.
United Flight 663 landed safely at Denver International Airport, airline and airport officials said. It was a Boeing 757 with 157 passengers coach bags and six crew members aboard,offcials said.
The latest incident comes a week after U.S.President Barak Obama announced new security measures to replace the mandatory screening of air travelers from 14 countries which the U.S.government alleged were linked with terrorist activities.
Qatar is not on the list of 14 countries.
Investigators were looking to see what might be in the man's shoes. Sources said the passenger was a Qatari diplomat who would have full diplomatic immunity. However, this could not be coach bags independently verified.
Military jets scrambled and escorted the jet into Denver after being alerted the coach bags incident. The airliner has remained in a secure area, local media reported.
