Putin delayed by flight emergency

Nine people were injured when a Spanish airliner made an emergency landing in Lisbon after smoke filled the cabin.

The incident delayed Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was waiting to leave Portugal on another flight.

The injuries were sustained as the 288 passengers on the Iberia flight evacuated the aircraft using emergency slides.

It is not yet clear what caused the smoke to fill the cabin on the Madrid-Mexico flight.

The incident, at 0315GMT on Friday, resulted in a four-hour closure of Lisbon airport, which usually opens for regular air traffic at 0600GMT.

Police say three foreign passengers were admitted to hospital, including a 57-year old Israeli woman, with an ankle injury, a 69-year old Briton and a 24-year old Spanish woman.

Passengers from the flight are expected to continue their journey to Mexico later on Friday.

The aircraft carrying Mr Putin, en route to the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum in Chile, was the only flight delayed, an airport spokesman said.