Tripoli: Trkiye's Chief of General Staff, Gen. Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, met with Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah in Tripoli to offer condolences following the death of Libya's army chief in a plane crash near Ankara earlier this week. The incident involved a private jet carrying a Libyan military delegation, which tragically crashed on December 23, resulting in the loss of all eight individuals on board, including three crew members.

According to Anadolu Agency, the individuals who perished in the crash included Libyan Chief of General Staff Gen. Mohammed Ali Al-Haddad, Libyan Land Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Futuri Gribel, Director of Libyan Military Factories Brig. Gen. Mahmoud Juma El Giteviy, advisor to the Libyan chief of general staff Mohammed Assavi, and photographer Mohammed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub. During the meeting, Bayraktaroglu expressed his deep sorrow over the incident and extended Trkiye's condolences to the Libyan leadership.

Bayraktaroglu also acknowledged Al-Haddad's contributions to the development of Libyan military institutions and his efforts in enhancing military and security cooperation between Libya and Trkiye. Prime Minister Dbeibah expressed gratitude for Bayraktaroglu's visit, viewing it as a genuine testament to the strong bilateral ties shared by the two nations.

Dbeibah emphasized that cooperation between Libya and Trkiye would persist across various domains, particularly in supporting institution building and enhancing military and security capabilities, as outlined in mutual agreements. Additionally, Bayraktaroglu held discussions with Mohamed Menfi, the head of Libya's Presidency Council, where he reiterated Ankara's unwavering solidarity with the Libyan people and confirmed the continuation of military cooperation and coordination.

Trkiye's ambassador to Libya, Guven Begec, was present at both meetings, underscoring the importance of diplomatic ties between the two countries.