DST News: Libya’s army chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, has been killed in a plane crash near Ankara shortly after his private jet took off from a Turkish airport. All those on board died, including four senior Libyan military officials and three crew members.

Turkish authorities said initial investigations point to a technical failure, ruling out sabotage. Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah confirmed the deaths, calling it a tragic national loss. Al-Haddad, a key military leader in western Libya, played an important role in UN-backed efforts to reunify the country.

The Libyan delegation had been in Ankara for defense talks with Turkey. The UN-recognized Government of National Unity has declared three days of national mourning, with flags flown at half-mast and official events suspended.

Source: Aljazeera