Egypt downgraded diplomatic relations with Turkey on Saturday and ordered its ambassador expelled from Cairo. <br /><br />Relations between the two countries have been tense since the Egyptian military’s ousting of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.<br /><br />Turkey’s Islamic-rooted ruling party had strongly backed Morsi as an example for the Arab world of a democratically elected Islamist leader. <br /><br />Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a blunt rebuff to Egypt’s army-backed rulers: <br /><br />“Our attitude is not against the Egyptian people, but the coup- makers, as we are on the side of democratic struggles in the world. We don’t respect those who don’t respect the sovereign rights of people,” declared Erdoğan on live television <br /><br />Turkey is one of the fiercest critics of Morsi’s removal, calling it an “unacceptable coup” by the army.<br /><br />Turkey reciprocated by declaring the Egyptian ambassador “persona non grata” and downgrading relations with Egypt.<br /><br />Egyptian foreign Ministry spokesman Badr Abdelatty made no specific allegations against Turkey in announcing the ambassador’s expulsion, but said:<br /><br />“This represents a new episode in a string of instances and statements issued by them, (Turkey), that reflects an unacceptable determination to challenge the will of the great Egyptian people and a lack of respect for their legitimate choices and interference in the internal affairs of the country.”<br /><br />Saturday’s decision comes after the Turkish prime minister renewed his criticism of Egypt’s new leaders, dismissing the trial of Morsi and describing on Thursday the situation in Egypt as a “humanitarian drama.”
