Turkish President urges Gulf states to solve difference through dialogue

Erdogan was careful not to criticise Riyadh, calling on the member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council to ‘resolve their differences through dialogue.’ PTI

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan defended Qatar after several countries severed diplomatic ties with it, saying he personally would have intervened if accusations that the tiny Gulf emirate supports “terrorism” were true, Al-Jazeera reported.

Erdogan stood by Qatar on Tuesday, saying he intends to “develop” ties with the embattled Gulf state hit by sanctions from Saudi Arabia and its allies, Al-Jazeera added.

“Let me say at the outset that we do not think the sanctions against Qatar are good,” Erdogan said in a speech in Ankara.

“Turkey will continue and will develop our ties with Qatar, as with all our friends who have supported us in the most difficult moments,” he added in reference to last year’s failed coup, Al-Jazeera indicated.

Turkey has close ties with Qatar but also has good relations with the other Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia.

Erdogan was careful not to criticise Riyadh, calling on the member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council to “resolve their differences through dialogue”, Al-Jazeera explained.

“Efforts to isolate Qatar … will not solve any problem,” said Erdogan, praising Doha’s “cool-headedness” and “constructive approach”.

Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates severed diplomatic ties and transport links with Qatar on Monday, accusing it of supporting “extremism”, according to Al-Jazeera.

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