Libya’s army chief, Lt Gen Mohamed Al-Haddad, was killed in a plane crash while returning to Tripoli from an official visit to Turkey, the country’s prime minister said on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah confirmed that Al-Haddad died along with four others in a “tragic accident” during the flight home from Ankara. The crash occurred after the aircraft lost contact shortly after take-off from Turkey’s capital.
“With great sadness and sorrow, we have received the news of the death of Lt Gen Al-Haddad and his companions,” al-Dbeibah said in a statement. He offered condolences to the families of the victims and said the loss was a tragedy for Libya and its military institution, as reported by CNN.
The prime minister identified the other victims as Maj Gen Al-Fitouri Ghreibel, Chief of Staff of the Ground Forces; Brig Gen Mahmoud Al-Qatioui, Director of the Military Manufacturing Authority; Mohamed Al-Asawi Diab, adviser to the army chief and media office photographer Mohamed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub.
Turkish authorities said they lost contact with the Falcon 50 business jet shortly after it departed Ankara Esenboga Airport at around 8.10 pm (local time). Turkey’s interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said contact was lost at 8.52 pm after the aircraft sent an emergency landing notification near the Haymana district, about 50 miles southwest of Ankara.
Turkish broadcaster CNNTurk reported that the jet had declared an electrical emergency and requested to return to the airport before communication was lost. The aircraft reportedly had a crew of three, all French nationals.
Turkey’s justice minister Yilmaz Tunc said a full investigation has been launched into the crash and that authorities will examine “all aspects of the incident with great care.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Turkey’s armed forces said Lt Gen Al-Haddad had been formally received in Ankara with a military ceremony as an official guest. He later held talks with Turkish Chief of the General Staff Gen Selcuk Bayraktaroglu as part of his official visit.
At TOI World Desk, our dedicated team of seasoned journalists and...
Read MoreAt TOI World Desk, our dedicated team of seasoned journalists and passionate writers tirelessly sifts through the vast tapestry of global events to bring you the latest news and diverse perspectives round the clock. With an unwavering commitment to accuracy, depth, and timeliness, we strive to keep you informed about the ever-evolving world, delivering a nuanced understanding of international affairs to our readers. Join us on a journey across continents as we unravel the stories that shape our interconnected world.
Read Less