Turkey threatened on Sunday that the postures of warlord Khalifa Haftar's forces will be a legitimate target for the Turkish forces if the six Turkish citizens detained by Libya's eastern authorities were not released.

The arrest of the Turks followed a campaign in the eastern region to close all Turkish businesses, including companies, restaurants, and cafes.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry warned in a statement that in the event their demand was not taken up, Haftar's militias will become a target for the Turkish forces.