UAE offers condolences to Libya after death of army chief in plane crash

The UAE has expressed its condolences and solidarity with Libya following the death of Army Chief of Staff, Lt. General Mohammed Al-Haddad, and several senior military officials in a plane crash near Ankara while travelling to Tripoli.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed its sympathy to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Libya, expressing solidarity with them during this difficult time.

Haddad, from the coastal city of Misrata some 200 km east of Tripoli, was appointed chief of staff in 2020.

UAE Expresses Solidarity with Libya and Conveys Condolences over Army Chief's Plane Crashhttps://t.co/DWCQwxUYhL pic.twitter.com/IZ2jCG225c

— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) December 24, 2025

The Dassault Falcon 50 jet, which took off from Ankara Esenboga Airport at 1717 GMT on Tuesday for Tripoli, informed air traffic control at 1733 GMT of an emergency caused by an electrical malfunction, said communications directorate head Burhanettin Duran.

Search teams found the black box of the plane early on Wednesday, Turkey's interior minister added.