A spokesman for Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi confirmed on Thursday the authenticity of a controversial letter describing his Israeli counterpart as a "great" friend, saying it followed ’protocol’

A spokesman for Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi confirmed on Thursday the authenticity of a controversial letter describing his Israeli counterpart as a "great" friend, saying it followed 'protocol'.

The letter, sent for the confirmation of Egypt's new ambassador to Tel Aviv, was leaked to the Zionist entity’s press and sparked criticism at home for Mursi, who has so far refused to mention “Israel” by name in his speeches.

The letter reportedly referred to Shimon Peres as a "great and good friend".

Mursi's spokesman Yassir Ali confirmed the letter's authenticity, the state-owned Al-Ahram newspaper reported on its website, adding that it conformed to foreign ministry protocols and was "100 percent correct."

The letter said: “Great and good friend, being desirous of maintaining and strengthening the cordial relations which so happily exist between our two countries, I have selected Mr. Atef Mohamed Salem Sayed El Ahl to be our ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary.”

The letter closed expressing “highest esteem and consideration”.