The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has released details of the identity of the gunman who opened fire at Los Angeles International airport, killing two people before being shot dead by security guards.

Neighbours described Hadayet as "quiet"

Hesham Mohammed Ali Hadayet, a 41-year-old Egyptian immigrant had lived in an apartment complex in the city of Irvine, about 64km (40 miles) from Los Angeles International Airport, for the past ten years.

Although not a US citizen, Hadayet had a green card - a type of visa entitling him to work in the country.

Hadayet, who also went by the last name Ali, was identified when the FBI ran his thumbprint through the database of the Department of Motor Vehicles, which issues driving licences in the US.

The day of the attack - American Independence Day - was also his birthday, although other documents listed a different birth date.

Married with at least one child, until recently he is thought to have been working as a limousine driver.

Search

Authorities have searched Hadayet's possessions in an attempt to find a motive for his attack - combing through his home in Irvine and examining his black Mercedes Benz car, found in the airport car park shortly after the shooting.

A bomb squad examined Hadayet's vehicle and evacuated the car park as a precaution. However, police said nothing suspicious or unusual was found in or around the vehicle.

At his home address investigators questioned neighbours, who said that Hadayet's family had gone to Egypt for the summer; the search continues for remaining relatives who may still be in the US.

Neighbours said Hadayet was generally quiet, although he was reportedly angered when an upstairs neighbour hung an American flag over his balcony following the 11 September attacks.

"He complained about it to the apartment manager. He thought it was being thrown in his face," neighbour Steve Thompson told the Associated Press news agency.