May 13, 2010 -- President James A Michel has sent a message of condolence to Libyan leader Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi following the plane crash in Tripoli yesterday which claimed over 100 lives.

President Michel said in his message: 'It was with profound sadness and deep shock that we learned of the crash of an Afriqiyah Airways plane in Tripoli, which resulted in the loss of many lives.

"In the wake of this tragedy, the government and the people of Seychelles join me in expressing our heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences to you, to the government and people of Libya, as well as to the families of the victims."

President Michel wished all the relief agencies every success in their work. He assured President al-Gaddafi of the Seychellois solidarity in this trying period.