Turkey recalls its Ambassador to Egypt

Turkey’s ambassador in Egypt has been recalled to Ankara for consultations following the bloody crackdown in the country on supporters of the toppled President Mohamed Morsi.

Erdogan had reiterated Ankara’s earlier call for the U.N. Security Council to convene quickly as the official death toll from the Aug. 14 crackdown rose to over 600. Erdogan had also criticized the interim rulers’ decision to declare a state of emergency.

Turkey adopted a harsh position regarding the military takeover in Egypt July 3, calling repeatedly for the release of Morsi, who has been held incommunicado at an undisclosed location.

It is expected Ambassador Huseyin Avni Botsali to return from Cairo on August 16.