Turkish FM Davutoğlu holds phone meeting with US counterpart Kerry about bloody crackdown in Egypt

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

Davutoğlu spoke with his U.S., French and UAE counterparts as well as UN chief Ban Ki-Moon. AFP photo

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu conducted intense phone diplomacy regarding the bloody crackdown on supporters of deposed President Mohamed Morsi in Egypt that killed at least 278, according to official sources.

Davutoğlu spoke with the U.S. Secretary of State from Azerbaijan, saying the crackdown had hurt the efforts for normalization and reconciliation, Turkish Foreign Ministry sources told Anadolu Agency.

The diplomats also exchanged information on the talks they had held through the day, the report added. Kerry had spoken earlier with his Egyptian counterpart, while Davutoğlu held phone conversations with United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-moon as well as his French and U.A.E. counterparts.

Davutoğlu and Kerry also discussed the role of the international community in stopping the bloodshed in Egypt and starting a new dialogue process. They also agreed to stay in close contact in the coming days.

Ankara adopted a harsh stance after Morsi was toppled in a military takeover July 3. The United States took a more cautious position, avoiding calling the takeover a "coup," a move that has prompted criticism from Turkish officials.