Libyan military delegation killed in plane crash honored at Ankara ceremony

The bodies of Libya’s Chief of General Staff, Gen. Mohamed Ali Al-Haddad, and other senior officers were returned to Libya following a farewell ceremony at Mürted Air Base after forensic procedures were completed at the Ankara Forensic Medicine Institute.

The ceremony included a moment of silence, recitation from the Quran, and prayers. After the names of the victims were read, their bodies were transferred to an aircraft and sent to Libya.

Turkiye’s Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, Chief of General Staff Gen. Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, senior military commanders, Libya’s ambassador to Ankara Mustafa Elgelaib, Libyan officials, and family members attended the ceremony.

Those who died were identified as Gen. Mohamed Ali Al-Haddad, Lt. Gen. Futuri Gribel, Brig. Gen. Mahmut Cuma El Giteviy, military adviser Mohamed Assavi, and photographer Mohamed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub.

Gen. Bayraktaroğlu later departed for Libya to attend a military ceremony there. The private jet carrying the Libyan delegation crashed in Ankara on December 23, killing five military officials and three crew members.