Defense Minister Yasar Guler (not seen) receives Libyan Chief of General Staff General Muhammed Ali Al-Haddad during their meeting in Ankara, Türkiye on Dec. 23, 2025. (AA Photo)Libya's National Unity Government declared three days of national mourning following the death of Chief of General Staff Muhammad al-Haddad and his delegation in a plane crash near Ankara, according to an official government statement. Al-Haddad had completed an official visit with Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler earlier Monday, having traveled to Ankara at the invitation of Turkish Chief of General Staff General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu. Dibeybe's directive to send Libyan officials to Ankara reflects the government's commitment to working with Turkish authorities as the investigation proceeds. Turkish officials have urged media outlets and the public to rely solely on official statements and avoid unverified information circulating on social media during the investigation.

Source: Libya Today December 23, 2025 23:07 UTC