24.12.2025 06:35
The Libyan Government of National Unity announced that a three-day national mourning period has been declared in the country following the death of a five-member military delegation, including Libyan Chief of General Staff Mohammed Ali Al-Haddad, in a plane crash near Ankara. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dibeybe instructed the Ministry of Defense to send an official delegation to Ankara and to investigate the circumstances of the accident in direct coordination with Turkish authorities.
A notable step has been taken by the Libyan government following the crash of a Falcon 50 business jet carrying five people, including Libya's Chief of General Staff Mohammed Ali Al-Haddad, near Ankara during its return to the country.
In a statement made by the Libyan National Unity Government, it was announced that a three-day national mourning has been declared due to the accident in which five military personnel lost their lives, stating, "During this period, flags will be flown at half-mast in all state institutions, and all official events and celebrations will be suspended."
"WE OFFER OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES"
Emphasizing that the soldiers who lost their lives served Libya selflessly, it was stated, "We extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the families of the deceased and their colleagues in the armed forces; we pray that Almighty Allah treats them with His vast mercy, welcomes them in His paradise, and grants patience and strength to their families and loved ones."
INSTRUCTION FROM THE PRIME MINISTER
It was reported that Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh instructed the Ministry of Defense to send an official delegation to Ankara and to investigate the circumstances of the accident in direct coordination with Turkish authorities.
5 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES
A plane carrying a five-member Libyan military delegation, which had completed its official visit to Turkey and was on its way back to their country, had gone off radar near Ankara. Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh announced that the plane had crashed and that Chief of General Staff Mohammed Ali Al-Haddad, along with Land Forces Commander Major General Al-Fayturi Gharib, Libyan Military Industry President Brigadier General Mahmoud Al-Qatiwi, Chief of General Staff Advisor Mohamed Al-Asawi Diab, and Chief of General Staff Photographer Mohamed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub lost their lives in the accident.
EMERGENCY LANDING NOTIFICATION WAS MADE
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated in his remarks regarding the accident, "At 20:10 this evening, contact was lost with the Falcon 50 business jet with tail number 9H-DFJ, which took off from Ankara Esenboğa Airport heading to Tripoli at 20:52. An emergency landing notification was received from the aircraft near Haymana; however, contact could not be re-established with the plane afterwards."