Egypt and Turkey downgrade diplomatic relations

Cairo reacts following repeated criticism by Turkey

Egypt expelled Turkey's ambassador from Cairo on 23 November over Turkey's continued “interference” in Egyptian internal affairs, prompting an escalation in tensions between the two countries.

Turkey reciprocated immediately by declaring the Egyptian ambassador in Ankara a "persona non grata."

Relations between the nations have deteriorated since the Egyptian military's overthrow of Islamist president Mohammed Morsi in July. Cairo's decision to expel the Turkish ambassador stems from repeated criticism of Morsi's ousting and the interim adminstration's subsequent crackdown on members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The last straw for Cairo came on 21 November after a critical remark by Turkey's prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan whose Islamic-rooted ruling party is a strong ally of Morsi and the Brotherhood.
Egyptian officials have repeatedly claimed that Muslim Brotherhood leaders have been meeting in Turkey to plot protests and ways of undermining Egypt's interim government.
Following Cairo's expulsion of the Turkish ambassador, Erdogan said "I will never have respect for those who come to power through coups."