ANKARA: A private jet carrying the of Libya’s Army Chief and several top commanders has crashed in Turkey, with the Libyan prime minister announcing their deaths after contact with the aircraft was lost.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that a Falcon 50 business jet, en route from Ankara’s Esenboga Airport to Tripoli, lost contact at 8:52 PM local time on Tuesday shortly after takeoff. The flight was carrying five passengers, including Lieutenant General Mohammed Al-Haddad, the Chief of the General Staff of the Libyan Army. The aircraft had issued an emergency landing signal near the Haymana district before all communication ceased.
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh confirmed the tragedy in a Facebook post, expressing “profound sorrow and grief” at the passing of Haddad and his companions. The premier named the other officials on board as key military figures: Fitouri Ghraibil, Chief of Staff of the Ground Forces; Mahmoud Al-Qatawi, Director of the Military Manufacturing Authority; Mohammed Al-Asawi Diab, an advisor; and Mohammed Mahjoub, Haddad’s photographer.
General Haddad had been in Turkey on an official visit at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart, where he met with Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler earlier on Tuesday. Search and rescue operations are underway near the last known location of the aircraft. Turkish authorities have pledged to inform the public of developments.
The apparent loss of nearly the entire senior Libyan army leadership in a single incident represents a catastrophic blow to the country’s internationally recognized government and its military structure.
