Egypt expels Turkish ambassador

Turkish ambassador Hüseyin Avni Botsalı

Egypt has expelled Turkey’s Ambassador to Cairo on Nov. 23, declaring him “persona non grata,” in a new peak of tension between the two countries, which has escalated since the military takeover that toppled Mohamed Morsi.
“We are downgrading our diplomatic relations with Turkey,” a spokesperson of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said, adding that the decision had been taken after Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his sympathy with Morsi in remarks made on Nov. 21. “We have asked the Turkish ambassador to leave the country.”
Egypt’s envoy to Turkey, who has been recalled for consultations in August, will not be sent back to Ankara, Badr Abdelatty said.
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Ministry said Ankara will announce measures to reciprocate Egypt’s move.
Before his departure to Russia on Nov. 21, Erdoğan criticized once again the interim rule for putting Morsi in trial. “I applaud Morsi’s conduct at the court. I respect him, but I have no respect for those who put him on trial,” Erdoğan said.

His remarks were described by Badr Abdelatty  as "provocative and interfering in Egypt's internal affairs."
Abdelatty also accused Ankara of attempting "to influence public opinion against Egyptian interests" as well as supporting meetings of organizations that "seek to create instability in the country."
Turkey recalled Botsalı in August for consultations during a period of three weeks, but decided to send him back despite the chilly ties. Cairo has also recalled his own ambassador, refusing to send him to Ankara until Turkey “stops interfering” in Egypt’s internal affairs.Turkish officials have strongly condemned the takeover, urging western and Muslim countries to recognize it as “a coup.”