Libya's Chief of Staff Dies in Plane Crash

The Government of National Unity of Libya has officially confirmed the death of the Chief of Staff of the armed forces, Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddadi. The aircraft transporting him crashed in Turkey shortly after departing from Ankara.

“This tragic and serious incident occurred during the return from an official visit to the Turkish capital, Ankara. This heavy loss is a tremendous blow to the nation, the armed forces, and the entire people,” said Libyan Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dbeibah in his statement.

The Prime Minister also noted that on board the plane were the commander of Libya's ground forces, the head of the military production department, the chief of staff's adviser, and a photographer.

The cause of the plane crash is still unknown. Dbeibah has tasked the Minister of Defense with sending an official delegation to Ankara to monitor the progress of the investigation.

Libya's Minister of Political Affairs, Walid Ellafi, told Libya Alahrar television that the aircraft had been rented from Malta, but, according to him, “there is insufficient information regarding its ownership or technical history.”