Turkish ambassador, recalled by Ankara over tense ties, to return to Egypt

ANKARA, Turkey – Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey's ambassador to Egypt — who was pulled back for consultations amid deteriorating relations between the countries — will return to resume his duties.

Erdogan on Wednesday ignored a question on whether Ambassador Huseyin Avni Botsali's return amounted to a "normalization" of ties but said Turkey would "reconsider" the diplomat's position if "conditions in Egypt take a different turn."

An Egyptian airport official said Botsali was expected in Cairo early on Thursday.

Turkey and Egypt recalled ambassadors after relations grew tense after Turkey sharply criticized ousted President Mohammed Morsi's removal from power.

In an interview late Thursday on Egyptian TV, interim President Adly Mansour said Turkey's interests should focus on "Egypt and its people and not with leaders of a certain group."