Algiers, Algeria - Morocco's state news agency says an Algerian man seeking a visa to travel to neighbouring Morocco took a Swiss man hostage for several hours in the Moroccan consulate in Algiers.

The MAP agency says the man took the Swiss citizen, who was also waiting at the consulate, hostage at knifepoint on Monday. He then demanded to travel to Morocco with his hostage.

The man released his hostage several hours later, after the Algerian police sent in a special intervention squad.

No bloodshed was reported. MAP says the hostage-taker is being interrogated by Algerian police.

Algerian security officials were not immediately available for comment. - Sapa-AP