Egypt recall envoys in wake of violence

Egypt recall envoys in wake of violence

Turkey's president called the violence in Egypt a "shame for Islam and the Arab world" Friday after the two countries recalled their ambassador
s. Meanwhile, hundreds of Turks marched to denounce the crackdown on supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi.

More than 600 people died when riot police backed by armored vehicles, snipers and bulldozers on Wednesday smashed two sit-ins in Cairo where Morsi's supporters had been camped out for six weeks to demand his reinstatement.

On Thursday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Egyptian leaders should stand trial for the military's move against the sit-ins. Hours later, the two countries announced they were recalling their ambassadors for consultations.

Egypt recall envoys in wake of violence

Turkey's Islamic-rooted ruling party had strongly backed Morsi — a leading figure in Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood — as an example for the Arab world of a democratically elected pro-Islamic leader. It has criticized his July 3 ouster by Egypt's military, while also criticizing the West for what it has deemed an anemic response to an apparent coup.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul voiced more criticism Friday.

"I deeply feel the pain for every single Egyptian that was killed," Gul said, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency. "All that happened in Egypt is a shame for Islam and the Arab world."

Egypt's Foreign Ministry had summoned Turkey's ambassador to Cairo, Huseyin Avni Botsali, as a result of Turkish criticisms. But Gul rejected accusations that Turkey was interfering in Egypt's internal affairs.

"Turkey's warnings should be seen not as meddling in internal affairs, but as the sadness felt by a friend, the shock it experienced and as efforts to draw attention and to help," Gul said.