Turkey vows 'heavy' retaliation to Libya attacks, defence minister says

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Turkey's support for Libya follows air strikes on Tajoura as part of Gen Haftar's Tripoli offensive

Turkey says it will “retaliate in the most effective and strong way” to any threats from the Libyan warlord's Khalifa Haftar's army.

The warning came after Gen Haftar's Libyan National Army said it would strike Turkish vessels in Libyan waters and view Turkish businesses as targets.

The LNA controls most of the east and south of Libya and started an offensive against the internationally recognised government in April.

Turkey supports the Libyan government.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that his country supplies weapons and drones to Tripoli's Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Prime Minster Fayez al-Sarraj.

He said Turkish backing helped “rebalance” the fight against Gen Haftar, who has backing from UAE and Egypt.

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Media captionLibya crisis: The fight for Tripoli explained from the frontline

Turkish Defence Minister Huluski Akar warned that LNA forces would pay a “very heavy price” for any attacks on Turkish interests.

On Thursday, the GNA reclaimed the strategic town of Gharyan, a main supply base for Gen Haftar's forces in their offensive on Tripoli.

• Libya country profile

• Profile: Libya's military strongman Khalifa Haftar

• Why is Libya so lawless？

Libya has been torn by violence and division since long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed in 2011.