Israeli defence minister has said he "regrets" the deaths of Egyptian policemen on the Gaza border after Cairo moved to recall its ambassador, BBC News reported Saturday. Ehud Barak said he had ordered a joint inquiry to be held along with the Egyptian army without confirming Israeli forces had killed the five policemen. He said his forces had been pursuing militants who had carried out attacks against Israeli civilians. In Cairo, angry crowds have been protesting outside the Israeli embassy. Egyptian state TV said earlier that the country was recalling its ambassador to Israel until Israel explained why it had reportedly shot the policemen. Demanding an apology, Egypt''s cabinet was quoted as saying Cairo held Israel politically and legally responsible and was summoning the Israeli ambassador.