Turkish journalist detained in Cairo to be released soon

Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said Monday that a Turkish journalist, who is still being held in detention in a prison in Cairo, would be released soon, in a move to thaw strained relations between two countries following Turkey's fierce criticism of Egyptian crackdown on protesters last week. Speaking at a press conference after a Cabinet meeting in Ankara on Monday, Arinc said Turkish Ambassador to Egypt Huseyin Avni Botsalı briefed the ministers in the government about the unfolding political turmoil in Egypt. Arinc said Ankara expects release of Metin Turan, a state-run TRT correspondent, very soon. Commenting on Turkish stance regarding the political impasse in Egypt, the most populous Arab country, Arinc reiterated that Turkish position with regards to the conflicts consuming both Syria and Egypt will remain unchanged. Arinc also said Turkey is in contact with Lebanon over kidnapped Turkish pilots, saying that the pilots are in good health and unhurt. Two Turkish pilots were earlier kidnapped by Lebanese gunmen who demand from Turkey to use its leverage over Syrian opposition to provide release of a group of Lebanese pilgrims who had been kidnapped by the opposition fighters last year in Syria. In response to a question over what kind of diplomatic measures that Turkey could take with regards to Egypt, Arinc said Turkey is not considering sending its envoy back to Cairo at the moment. He said any move would be reciprocal, signaling that Turkey could change its tone if the Egyptian side takes a step towards normalization of dual ties.