DHAKA: Egypt has told the Turkish ambassador to leave the country and downgraded relations between the two countries.

Egypt’s foreign ministry blamed Turkey’s continued ‘interference’ in its country’s internal affairs, reports the BBC.

Turkey’s diplomatic representation has been lowered to the level of charge d’affaires, the ministry said in a statement.

Egypt has already recalled its ambassador from Turkey.

Turkey has criticised the overthrow of Islamist president Mohammed Mursi.

Egypt has been in turmoil since Mursi was deposed in July.

Thousands of Muslim Brotherhood members have been detained in a crackdown the interim authorities have portrayed as a struggle against ‘terrorism’.

Hundreds of people have also been killed in clashes with security forces.

Turkey has been a vocal critic of Morsi’s removal and the military’s actions, describing it as an ‘unacceptable coup’.

Speaking on Saturday, Egypt’s foreign ministry spokesman Badr Abdelatty said Turkey was ‘attempting to influence public opinion against Egyptian interests, supported meetings of organisations that seek to create instability in the country’.

BDST: 1632 HRS, NOV 23, 2013