Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan insulted the Egyptian leadership while speaking to Al Jazeera, according to spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Abou Zaid. Abou Zaid considered the statements as a continuation of "double standards in Turkish policies", saying that they were a violation against Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. The ministry stated that the Turkish president considers himself a guardian of democracy, while his government arrested hundreds of journalists, professors, and opposition figures, as well as ousted thousands of government and army officials from their posts. Ties between Egypt and Turkey have been tense since the military-backed ouster of former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, which brought Al-Sisi to power. Morsi was considered an important ally to Erdoğan. Ever since his ouster, both countries have been exchanging accusations and cut diplomatic ties. Ever since the attempted military coup in Turkey, the Egyptian government and media rejoiced, launching a campaign criticising the policies of Erdoğan. The popularity of the Egyptian army was highlighted, as well as its strong ties with Egypt's citizens, while Turkey's demonstrations against its military and the coup leaders were emphasised.
