Egypt downgrades diplomatic ties with Turkey

Egypt has decided to downgrade its diplomatic representation in Turkey and has told Turkey's ambassador in Cairo that he should leave, state media reported Saturday.

In place of an ambassador, Egypt's diplomatic mission in Turkey will now be led by a chargé d'affaires, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Badr Abdelaaty, who announced the decision at a press conference early Saturday. While a chargé d'affaires enjoys the same diplomatic immunity and privilege as an ambassador, it is a level down from ambassador.

Egypt's ambassador to Ankara, who was ordered back to Cairo on August 15, will be transferred permanently to the ministry's general offices.

On August 16, Turkey's ambassador left Cairo after he was called back for consultation by his country's Foreign Ministry, two days after sit-ins demanding the reinstatement of ousted President Mohamed Morsi were forcibly dispersed by security forces, leaving hundreds dead.

He came back in early September only to be recalled three days later. But Egypt did not follow suit with its own ambassador, saying that he would remain in Cairo until Turkey stops issuing statements against Egypt.

In the violent aftermath of the dispersals, Turkey spoke out vehemently against the army's move to depose Morsi and appoint interim President Adly Mansour in his place. Relations have grown increasingly strained as officials on both sides flung stern statements in the media.

Egypt has repeatedly verbally scolded Turkey for interfering in the country's internal affairs. In August it canceled military exercise with Turkey scheduled to take place October 21-28.

On November 5, relations flared again after Turkey's Foreign Ministry affirmed its "principled approach" in supporting what it called "Egyptian legitimacy," referring to its stance against the removal of Morsi and its support for ongoing protests demanding his reinstatement. It called for the "release of political prisoners, including elected President Mohamed Morsi."

Egypt's Foreign Ministry responded by calling in the Turkish ambassador and criticizing his country's interference in internal affairs.

Turkey’s main opposition party sent a delegation to Egypt in early September for a three-day visit. Republican People’s Party (CHP) chairman Faruk Logoglu said Egypt doesn’t need anyone to give it lessons in democracy. His party issued a statement saying that good relations between the two nations were essential to foster peace, stability and development in the region.

The delegation did not meet with Armed Forces chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, as the party does consider the events of July 3 to be a coup, Logoglu said. At the same time, the party is not taking Morsi’s side, but sides only with the Egyptian people, he declared.

Earlier, at least three independent complaints were filed with Egyptian courts calling on the government to cut ties with Turkey after its Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, slammed Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayyeb for supporting the "military coup" against Morsi.

Grand Mufti Shawky Allam responded by saying that insults against Al-Azhar and its grand sheikh are a threat to national security and urged the Foreign Ministry to take all necessary action against those who insult the institution.