Libya military chief of staff Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad and four other Libya men were killed in a plane crash near the Turkish capital Ankara.
Libya Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah confirmed that the plane crashed on December 23, shortly after takeoff, as Libya officials were en route back from a working trip to Ankara.
This great tragedy is a great loss for the country, the army and all the people, when we have lost people who serve the country with dedication and responsibility, are an example of discipline and dedication, the Libya Prime Minister emphasized.
In addition to Chief of Staff al-Haddad, those killed on the plane included Chief of Staff of the Al-Fitouri infantry force Gharibil, Director of the Military Industry Agency Mahmoud Al-Qatawi, advisor to Mr. al-Haddad, Muhammad Al- Asawi Diab and military photo reporter Muhammad Omar Ahmed Mahjoub. In addition, 3 members of the flight crew also died.
A senior Turkish official said the plane had requested an emergency landing due to an electrical problem. Mr. Burhanettin Duran - Communications Director of the Turkish Presidential Palace - informed that the private plane carrying the Libya Army Chief of Staff, the tour guide and the flight crew sent an emergency signal to control air traffic due to technical failure.
Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said that the Turkey Prosecutor General's Office had opened an investigation into the incident. A Turkish official told Al Jazeera that initial investigation results ruled out sabotage, which was initially determined to be a technical error.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the plane disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff from Ankara. The debris of the Falcon 50 was found about 74km from the capital Ankara in an area about 2km from Kesikkavak village, Haymana district.
According to Yerlikaya, the plane took off from Esenboga airport at 8:10 p.m. on December 23 and lost radio contact at 8:52 p.m. Several Turkish media outlets have released images showing the sky lit up by an explosion near the area where the plane was last tined.
According to Al Jazeera, the Libya delegation arrived in Turkey on a private plane leased by the Libya government from an outside company. Turkey's Defense Ministry had previously informed about al-Haddad's visit to Turkey, saying he had met with his Turkish counterpart and many other military commanders.
al-Haddad has served in the army for decades and played a key role in the failed failed failed failed coup against former leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The accident occurred just a day after the Turkish parliament approved a decision to extend the deployment of Turkish soldiers in Libya for another two years. Turkey has a close relationship with the Libya government recognized by the United Nations in Tripoli, providing economic and military assistance, and has signed many agreements on security, maritime and energy in recent years.
According to Turkish officials, this visit of the Libya delegation focuses on bilateral cooperation in the fields of security and defense.
