The Government of National Unity of Libya mourns the loss of Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Haddad, Chief of Staff of the Libyan Army, and seven others in a devastating plane crash in central Turkey. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff from Ankara, where the private jet reported an electrical failure before losing contact.
The aircraft, carrying General al-Haddad, four senior military officers, and three crew members, crashed on Tuesday evening while en route back to Tripoli following an official visit. Search and recovery teams have located the wreckage and recovered the cockpit voice and flight data recorders, which will aid in the ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash.
Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, stating, "This is a tremendous loss for our nation. General al-Haddad was a dedicated leader instrumental in our efforts toward unity and stability. Our thoughts are with the families of all those lost in this accident.”
The victims included key figures from Libya's UN-recognized government in Tripoli, highlighting the potential impact on ongoing reconciliation and security initiatives in the country. Turkish authorities are cooperating closely with Libyan officials to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Funeral arrangements and further details will be announced in due course. The government extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased.