The Libyan National Army (LNA) forces led by commander Khalifa Haftar has ordered his forces to attack Turkish ships and interests in the country, his spokesman said on Friday, accusing Turkey of backing his rivals in Libya’s conflict, Arab News reports.

“Orders have been given to the air force to target Turkish ships and boats in Libyan territorial waters,” said General Ahmad Al-Mesmari, adding that “Turkish strategic sites, companies and projects belonging to the Turkish state (in Libya) are considered legitimate targets by the armed forces.”

Haftar also orderd to ban any commercial flights from Libya to Turkey, Ahval News reports.

Ankara supports internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli. The eastern-based LNA, which started a campaign three months ago to seize Tripoli and supported by Turkey’s regional rivals Egypt, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, accuses Turkey of funding and arming Islamist factions in Libya fighting on the side of the GNA.

Read more: Turkish soldier dies in attack on military post in Syria's Idlib

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