Ankara, Dec 24 (V7N)- Libyan army chief Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad was killed in a plane crash in Turkey, along with four other senior officials, British news agency Reuters reported on Wednesday.

The accident occurred on Tuesday (December 23) when a Falcon 50 private jet chartered by the Libyan government crashed near Ankara while returning to Tripoli after a state visit to Turkey.

According to Turkish authorities, the aircraft had requested emergency landing permission shortly before the crash due to an electrical malfunction. Moments later, the jet reportedly lost control and crashed into the ground. Wreckage of the aircraft was found near an airport on the outskirts of Ankara.

All five occupants on board, including Army Chief al-Haddad, were killed in the crash.

Officials have ruled out the possibility of sabotage or foul play, stating that the incident appears to have been caused by a technical failure. Investigations into the exact cause of the crash are ongoing.

Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad was a key figure in Libya’s military leadership and had traveled to Turkey as part of an official state delegation.

END/SMA/AJ