The United Arab Emirates on Thursday regretted remarks made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Egypt at the U.N. General Assembly.



In a statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry termed Erdogan' s remarks as "irresponsible and a flagrant intervention" in Egypt's domestic affairs.



In his speech at the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday, Erdogan criticized the U.N. inaction on what he described as the "coup" in Egypt.



"If we are going to defend people who come to power through coups, then I ask the question why we exist as the United Nations," Erdogan said earlier in the day.



The UAE ministry said it was surprised by Erdogan's statements on Egypt, adding that the Turkish leader has "exploited the U.N. as a platform to launch an unacceptable attack on the Egyptian legitimacy."



It also described the remarks as "a provocation of the Arab sentiments" and called on the Turkish leader to "stop insulting the Egyptian government and people."



Relations between Cairo and Ankara soured following the military ouster of elected Morsi – Egypt's first freely elected president – last year.



Last November, Egypt downgraded its diplomatic relations with Turkey to the level of charge d'affaires and recalled its ambassador from Ankara. Turkey responded with similar measures.



The UAE was among the first Arab countries to welcome Morsi's ouster and has since pledged $6.9 billion in aid to support Egypt's foundering economy.



By Ahmed al-Masri



englishnews@aa.com.tr



http: //www.aa.com.tr/en - Doha