Turkish leaders lash out following Egypt crackdown

ISTANBUL — Turkish leaders have lashed out at the Egyptian government for its violent move to clear camps in Cairo occupied by supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi.

In a statement yesterday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office called the crackdown "a serious blow to the hopes of a return to democracy" and blamed other unnamed countries for encouraging the government after Morsi's ouster in a military coup on July 3.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul also warned that Egypt could descend into chaos and compared the development to Syria where a crackdown on civilians led to a civil war.

The comments came hours after Egyptian riot police cleared two sprawling encampments in Cairo. Fatalities have been reported.