Türkiye Honors Libyan Military Delegation After Plane Crash

Türkiye has held a solemn ceremony in Ankara to honor members of a Libyan military delegation, including Chief of General Staff Gen. Mohammed Ali Al-Haddad, who were killed in a plane crash.

The tragic accident occurred on December 23, when a private jet carrying the Libyan delegation crashed in Ankara, killing all eight people on board - five delegation members and three crew, The Caspian Post reports via local media.

The ceremony took place at Murted Air Base Command, featuring a moment of silence, a recitation from the Holy Quran, and prayers for the deceased. After their names were read aloud, the bodies were transferred to a plane and repatriated to Libya.

Turkish officials in attendance included National Defence Minister Yasar Guler, Chief of General Staff Gen. Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, Land Forces Commander Gen. Metin Tokel, and Naval Forces Commander Adm. Ercument Tatlioglu. Also present were Libyan Ambassador Mustafa Elgelaib, members of the Libyan military delegation, and families of the victims.

Those killed included Libyan Chief of General Staff Gen. Mohammed Ali al Haddad, Land Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Futuri Gribel, Director of Military Factories Brig. Gen. Mahmoud Juma El Giteviy, adviser Mohammed Assavi, and photographer Mohammed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub.

After the ceremony, Gen. Bayraktaroglu departed for Libya to attend a military ceremony following the repatriation of the bodies.