Russia calls for dialogue in Qatar crisis

MOSCOW: Moscow called on Saturday for dialogue between Qatar and its neighbors in the Gulf, promising help in mediating the crisis, as Russia’s foreign minister met his Qatari counterpart.
“We have observed with concern the news of this escalation,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in opening remarks of his meeting with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Moscow.
“We cannot be happy in a situation when the relations between our partners are worsening. We are in favor of resolving any disagreements through... dialogue.”
Qatar is reaching out for support abroad as it has fallen out with its Arab neighbors, who accuse it of sponsoring extremist groups and resent its ties to the Muslim Brotherhood movement and sponsorship of Al-Jazeera network.
Lavrov said that Russia is “ready to try to do everything in its power” to help resolve the crisis and said unity is needed to fight terrorism.
“For us, unity is clearly necessary for maximum effect on this front (against terrorism),” he said.
Qatar has denounced the allegations against it and Al-Thani during his meeting with Lavrov called the measures against the country “illegal.”
Some reports alleged that Russian hackers helped spark the crisis but Moscow has dismissed this as a “stale claim” with “zero evidence.”
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he has never known Qatar to give support to terror organizations.
While maintaining good relations with the Gulf states, Turkey has vowed to continue to back its close ties with Qatar, which Erdogan again defended on Friday.
“They declare foundations established to provide different services as terror organizations. Something like this should not happen. I know those foundations. Until today I have not witnessed Qatar give support to terror,” Erdogan said in Istanbul.
The Turkish leader called for the “blockade” against Doha to be “completely lifted,” urging Saudi Arabia to show leadership and encourage good relations in the region.
“I have a request to the Saudi administration: you are the biggest in the Gulf, the strongest... not with hostilities, you should be the leader of fraternity there, you should bring everyone together,” Erdogan said.
He also ratified a bill approved by Turkish lawmakers on Wednesday to deploy troops to a Turkish base in Qatar in a move seen as Ankara’s show of support for Doha.
Erdogan defended the action, asking “our friends” in the Gulf: “Why does the American base not discomfort you? There are other countries’ bases too, why doesn’t it discomfort you?”
He was referring to Al-Udeid airbase, America's biggest in the Middle East, which is home to some 10,000 US troops.
It is a crucial hub for US military operations in the Middle East, especially the battle against the Daesh.
Erdogan said Turkey would continue to help Qatar such as exporting food and medicine to them.
“Sorry, but we will continue to give all kinds of support to Qatar,” he said.