Turkey's Erdogan says France's Macron has 'lost his way'

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday (October 25) Emmanuel Macron had "lost his way", in his second sharp criticism of the French leader in two days after the French leader's criticism of Islamists.

On Saturday, Erdogan had said Macron had a problem with Muslims and needed mental checks - a rebuke that caused France to recall its ambassador from Ankara.

The French leader this month declared war on "Islamist separatism", which he believes is taking over some Muslim communities in France.

France has since been shaken by the beheading of a teacher by an Islamist radical, avenging the use of cartoons of Islam's Prophet Mohammad in a class on freedom of expression.

NATO members Turkey and France have been at loggerheads over issues including Syria and Libya, maritime jurisdiction in the eastern Mediterranean, and the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Macron's office said France had gathered its European partners, who share France's demand that Turkey puts a stop to its "dangerous adventures" in the Mediterranean and in the region.

It said Erdogan had two months to respond or face measures, noting the absence of a condolence message from Turkey's leader after the history teacher's death last week.