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.
Erdogan stood by Qatar on Tuesday June 06,2017, saying he intends to "develop" ties with the embattled Gulf state hit by sanctions from Saudi Arabia and its allies.
"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.
Erdogan was careful not to criticise Riyadh, calling on the member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council to "resolve their differences through dialogue".
"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 UAE severed diplomatic ties and transport links with Qatar on Monday June 05,2017, accusing it of supporting "extremism".
"Presenting Qatar as a supporter of terrorism is a serious accusation," the Turkish leader said. "I know [Qatar's leaders] well and if that had been the case, I would have been the first head of state to confront them."
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