Turkish Minister of Defence Hulusi Akar (right) and his Libyan counterpart Salah Eddine Namrouchin attend a graduation ceremony for new batches of students from the Military College in the Libyan capital Tripoli, on Dec 26, 2020. (PHOTO / AFP)

ANKARA - Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar warned on Sunday that the forces of Khalifa Haftar and their supporters based in eastern Libya would be viewed as “legitimate targets” if they attempted to attack Turkish forces in the region.

Turkey is the main foreign backer of Libya’s internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli

Speaking during a visit to Turkish troops in Tripoli, Akar said Haftar’s forces and his supporters would have “nowhere to run” if they attacked Turkish forces, adding they would become targets for Ankara “everywhere”.

READ MORE: US says Libya's Haftar to allow oil sector to reopen

Turkey is the main foreign backer of Libya’s internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli, which for years has been fighting Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA).

ALSO READ: Libya's Haftar 'accepts political initiative' after battle losses

In October, the GNA and LNA signed a ceasefire agreement and the United Nations has been pushing a political dialogue aimed at elections next year as a solution.