Turkey ready to mediate in Qatar crisis: FM Cavusoglu

By Nazlı Yuzbasioglu, Ugur Cil and Ecenur Colak

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey is ready to be a mediator to resolve the diplomatic row in the Gulf region, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Thursday.

Speaking to reporters in Kuwait one day after an official visit to Qatar's capital, Doha, Cavusoglu said that Turkey preferred that the crisis be resolved through dialogue with all parties coming together, and that Turkey was ready to do its part as a mediator.

On June 5, five Arab countries -- Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Yemen -- abruptly cut diplomatic relations with Qatar, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism.

Qatar, for its part, has denied the accusations, calling the moves to diplomatically isolate it "unjustified”.

Cavusoglu said that a solution could be found more easily if the underlying reasons for this diplomatic row, and the demands were established clearly. He also reiterated Turkey's "deep sadness" over the incident.

"What is essential is to be able to contribute to a solution," he added.

The minister said he was going to visit Mecca on Friday, and share Turkey's "sincere views" on the crisis during a meeting with Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud.

"Saudi Arabia is truly the big brother of the Gulf region. It is the most important country. Its role is very important for the region's peace and security," Cavusoglu said, adding regional stability and security were also important for Turkey's own security and stability. "This is not just a slogan, but a fact."

The minister also stated that it was out of question for Turkey to discriminate between the Gulf countries. "This would not be to our benefit," he said.