A tragic accident in Turkey has claimed the lives of Libya’s military chief and several other officers. The private jet carrying the delegation crashed shortly after taking off from Ankara, the Turkish capital.
The Libyan officials were in Ankara to discuss ways for the two nations to work together on defense. According to reports, a technical problem on the plane led to the crash.
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah expressed his sadness over the loss, calling it a “great loss” for the country. Among those killed was Gen. Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad, a key figure in efforts to unite Libya’s divided military.
The other officers who died were Gen. Al-Fitouri Ghraibil, Brig. Gen. Mahmoud Al-Qatawi, Mohammed Al-Asawi Diab, and Mohammed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub. The identities of the three crew members are unknown.
Turkish authorities located the wreckage of the plane about 43 miles south of Ankara. The plane had issued an emergency signal and was attempting to return to the airport when it disappeared from radar. An investigation into the crash is underway.
This incident comes at a sensitive time for Libya, which has struggled with instability since the fall of Moammar Gadhafi. Turkey has been working with Libya’s government and recently agreed to extend its troop presence in the country. This tragedy underscores the challenges Libya faces as it seeks to build a stable and secure future.
