Egypt's Foreign Ministry

Diplomats has said at least 550 pilgrims died during the hajj, underscoring the grueling nature of the pilgrimage which again unfolded in scorching temperatures this year.

At least 323 of those who died were Egyptians, most of them succumbing to heat-related illnesses, two Arab diplomats coordinating their countries' responses told AFP.

Novinite has interviewed Egypt's Ambassador to Bulgaria, H.E. Manal El Shinnawi, on the occasion of the 90th anniversary since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries which has celebrated in February.

Egypt's Foreign Ministry has hit back at Turkish criticism of mass death sentences ruled by an Egyptian court against 183 people for engaging in deadly violence two years ago.

In a statement headlined "Egypt denounces Turkish nonsense," the ministry said yesterday that the Turkish Foreign Ministry had not "considered the feelings of the martyrs' families and their right to justice."