Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Libyan Army Chief of Staff Mohammad Ali Ahmed al-Haddad and seven others died when their plane crashed Tuesday shortly after takeoff near Ankara, Turkey.
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah confirmed the death of al-Haddad along with four Libyan military personnel who returning home, Al Jazeera reported. Three unnamed crew members also died in the crash, which occurred after its crew reported an electrical failure and asked to make an emergency landing.
"This great tragedy is a great loss for the nation, the military establishment, and all the people, as we have lost men who served their country with sincerity and dedication and were an example of discipline, responsibility, and national commitment," Dbeibeh said in a prepared statement.
"We have lost men who served their country with sincerity and dedication and were an example of discipline, responsibility and national commitment."
The victims include Libyan ground forces Chief of Staff Al-Fitouri Gharibil, Libyan Military Manufacturing Authority Director Mahmoud Qatawi, al-Haddad adviser Muhammad Al-Asawi Diab and military photographer Muhammad Omar Ahmed Mahjoub.
