Libya has been thrown into mourning following the death of its top military commander, Mohammed al-Haddad, who was killed in a plane crash in Turkey on Tuesday.
Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah confirmed the tragedy in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of the Chief of General Staff of the Libyan Army and other senior military officials who were travelling with him after an official visit to Ankara.
“It is with deep sadness and great sorrow that we received the news of the death of the Libyan army’s Chief of General Staff,” Dbeibah said, describing the incident as a devastating blow to the nation.
Turkey’s Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, said the country’s gendarmerie located the wreckage of the aircraft, which reportedly crashed shortly after taking off from Ankara.
Haddad had served as Libya’s Chief of General Staff since August 2020, having been appointed by former prime minister Fayez al-Sarraj. During his tenure, he played a key role in efforts to stabilise and reorganise the country’s military institutions.
Prime Minister Dbeibah revealed that other high-ranking military officers and a photographer were also on board the ill-fated aircraft. He described their deaths as a tragic national loss, praising their loyalty, discipline and commitment to serving Libya.
“We have lost men who served their country with dedication and integrity and who stood as symbols of responsibility and national duty,” he said.
