Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Khalifa Haftar is no more than a pirate, following Haftar's orders to target Turkish interests and nationals in eastern Libya.

Turkish newspapers cited Erdogan Thursday as saying that there is a military agreement between Turkey and Libya's Presidential Council's government headed by Fayez Al-Sarraj, saying Turkey, like the UN, recognizes Al-Sarraj's government as the only legitimate body in the country.

"I hope there will be a chance for elections in Libya soon and Libyans can have democratically elected officials." Erdogan said, urging the UN to take measures to resolve the crisis in Libya.

In June, Erdogan said Turkey provided Tripoli-based government with weapons to regain balance in the war launched by Haftar's forces on Tripoli with backing from UAE and Egypt - Turkey's opponents.

Haftar's spokesman Ahmed Al-Mismari escalated tensions with Turkey when he announced last week that all Turkish interests and nationals would be targeted for Turkey's backup to Al-Sarraj's government.

Haftar's forces detained six Turkish nationals in eastern Libya to fulfill their warnings, but released them after 24 hours as Turkey threatened to treat Haftar's forces as legitimate target for its army.