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Turkish President Abdullah Gul appealed to Egypt's army-installed government on Friday to return the country swiftly to democratic rule and allow all parties to take part in the political process, according to Reuters. 

In an article published in the Financial Times, Gul urged the Egyptian authorities to release the detained former president, Islamist Mohamed Morsi, who was overthrown by the army last month, but stopped short of calling for his return to office.

The Turkish head of state also called on all sides to act with restraint and avoid violence.

"The Egyptian people have almost been split into two camps, each of which is rallying dangerously against the other. This situation is worrying and unsustainable," he wrote.

Gul said Turkey had supported the 2011 uprising against strongman Hosni Mubarak and the election that brought Morsi to power.

"Unfortunately, the historic step towards democracy failed in less than two years. The coup that ousted Mohamed Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, was a clear derailment of the country's progress," he wrote.

Gul said the problems should have been resolved through democratic means.

"At moments of peril, it is more important than ever to stick closely to the democratic path," he said.

"A quick return to democracy - which was the aim of the revolution - through an inclusive transition process, is of utmost importance."