After the Government of National Unity (GNU) announced the crash of the plane carrying Libya’s senior military leadership, including Lieutenant General Muhammed al-Haddad, Chief of Staff of the Libyan Army, tributes for al-Haddad and the others poured in while replacements were appointed.
UNSMIL paid tribute to the deceased, expressing deep sorrow over the plane crash that killed al‑Haddad and several senior Libyan officials, honouring their service and extending heartfelt condolences to their families, colleagues, and the people of Libya.
Among those offering their condolences were Libyan National Army (LNA) Chief of Staff Khaled Haftar, praising Haddad as an officer ‘who performed his military duties with the utmost dedication and responsibility’, and many international heads of government and heads of state, including the Presidents of Algeria, France, and Turkey, as well as embassies in Tripoli.
Presidential Council head Muhammed al-Menfi announced that Deputy Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Salaheddin al Namroush will temporarily assume the duties of Chief of Staff until a new chief is appointed. In his first decision, al-Namroush appointed Major General Muhammad Ibrahim Musa as Chief of Staff of the Land Forces.
On 27 December, an official reception and memorial service for al-Haddad and his entourage was held at Tripoli International Airport. The ceremony was attended by al-Menfi, GNU PM Abdul Hameed Dabaiba, Acting Chief of Staff al-Namroush and many other senior officials as well as by Malta’s Minister for Home Affairs and Security Byron Camilleri and Turkish Chief of General Staff Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu. Al-Menfi announced the posthumous promotion of al-Haddad to the rank of Field Marshal, and the promotion of his accompanying officers to the next rank.
On 28 December, the funeral ceremony for al-Haddad was held in Misrata in the presence of Dabaiba and al-Namroush.