Criticism intensifies from Turkey and Taliban

Egypt has become the center of discussion among global leaders, with the spectrum of statements spanning condemnations of the crackdown on protesters and support for security forces’ efforts to “combat terrorism.”

Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Gouda issued a statement in support of Egypt on Friday evening, saying Jordan supports Egyptian efforts to restore security and stability and fight terrorism, reported the state-run Middle East News Agency.

Jordan also stands behind Egypt in its rejection of any foreign intervention in local affairs, MENA reported.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz said in statements carried by state TV that the kingdom stands “in support of Egypt and its people against terrorism.”

He appealed to leaders the Arab and Muslim world to stand united against those destabilizing Egypt, and said it is the country's legitimate right to combat any threats. He added that those criticizing Egypt are fueling the violence.

Relations with the three Gulf states had been tense under Morsi, whose government was a close ally to Turkey and Qatar.

The United Arab Emirates also praised King Abdel Aziz’s statements, saying it reflects Saudi’s interest in stability in Egypt and the region at large. Jordan' Gouda lauded Abdul Aziz's support of the interim government, adding that Egypt’s pivotal importance in the Arab region and the world requires everyone to stand against whoever could weaken its security.

The UAE echoed Saudi’s support for the interim government and military of Egypt, and its rejection of any interference in the country’s domestic affairs.

In response, Egypt's presidency thanked Saudi Arabia for its "historic stance", reminding that Saudis will remain the brothers of Egyptians, the privately-owned Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper reported.  

Interim President Adly Mansour issued a message of gratitude, saying that Abdel Aziz's position further demonstrated the good qualities of the kind Saudi people, "which refused to speak anything other than the truth." He invited the Arab and Islamic world to respond to King Abdel Aziz's call to stand up to terrorism.

Mansour asserted that Egypt is capable of standing up to this attack on its stability, and would not allow armed forces to terrorize its people.

Mansour concluded his message by saying that Egypt will undoubtedly move forward, and history will record the honorable positions taken by some states, as opposed to the collusion of others.

On the opposition to Egypt front, Turkey remains the staunchest critic, with its president calling the violence in Egypt a "shame for Islam and the Arab world," according to the Associated Press. Hundreds of Turks marched on Friday to denounce the crackdown on supporters of deposed President Mohamed Morsi, AP said.

"I deeply feel the pain for every single Egyptian that was killed,” Turkish President Abdullah Gul said, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency.

Hundreds protested on Friday in Tunisia and Indonesia, calling for the bloodshed in Egypt to end and condemning the security forces' actions.

The Taliban also condemned the violence and called for Morsi's reinstatement. In a statement signed by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, they also called on international organizations to take practical steps to stop the violence and "not be satisfied with only condemning this barbaric incident."

“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, besides strongly condemning this inhumane and unethical action, calls on the Egyptian military and government to stop spilling the blood of innocent women, children and elderly, and it must pave the way for the return of a constitutionally elected president to stop the situation from spiraling further out of control,” the statement read.

Also, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said in his annual state-of-the-nation address that the excessive force used to disperse demonstrations in Egypt was against democratic values and humanity, AP reported.

Germany’s Foreign Ministry urged citizens to refrain from traveling to Egypt, extending a previous warning to include Red Sea beach resorts around Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheik.

The German government also announced it was suspending 25 million euros in aid to Egypt for climate and environmental protection projects, AP reported. Denmark had already made a similar announcement

French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel want European Union foreign ministers to meet next week to coordinate a response to the violence in Egypt, the agency said. 

Dozens have been killed in clashes in central Cairo and in other parts of the country so far.

Protesters came out after Friday prayers to condemn the violent Wednesday crackdown by security forces on two pro-Morsi sit-ins, which left more than 600 dead according to the Health Ministry. The actual toll is expected to be much higher, and Muslim Brotherhood sources have put the number at around 2,000.