By Associated Press, 12/25/01

EL PASO, Texas -- A Continental Airlines flight from Houston to Los Angeles was diverted to El Paso on Tuesday because of two unruly passengers, officials said.

Flight 627 left Houston at 11:50 a.m. and landed in El Paso at 1:43 p.m., said Roland Herwig of the Federal Aviation Administration.

"There were actually two unruly passengers on board the aircraft and as a precautionary measure the plane was diverted to El Paso," Continental spokeswoman Julie King said.

The 757 resumed its flight to Los Angeles shortly after it landed.

FBI agents questioned witnesses and a couple who apparently became involved in what FBI agent Al Cruz described as a "verbal exchange" with a flight attendant.

Cruz said agents concluded that no federal violation occurred. He said they consulted with the U.S. Attorney's Office, which agreed there was no offense to prosecute.