Libya declares national mourning after army chief killed in plane crash near Ankara
In a statement on Tuesday, the Government of National Unity (GNU) extended condolences to the families of the victims and members of the Libyan Armed Forces. Flags will be flown at half-mast at all state institutions during the mourning period, and official events and celebrations have been suspended.
Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh instructed the Defence Ministry to dispatch an official delegation to Ankara to coordinate with Turkish authorities and investigate the circumstances of the crash, the statement said.
The crash occurred as Libya was preparing to mark Independence Day on Dec. 24–25, commemorating 74 years since liberation from Italian rule. The celebrations will now take place under national mourning.
The head of Libya’s Presidency Council, Mohamed Menfi, also expressed condolences over the deaths.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the wreckage of the Tripoli-bound Falcon 50 business jet was found about two kilometres south of Kesikkavak village in the Haymana district of Ankara province. The aircraft had taken off from Ankara’s Esenboga Airport and all those on board were killed.
Search and recovery operations continued on Wednesday, with security forces securing the site despite difficult weather conditions. Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) established a mobile coordination centre at the crash location.
