No one gains from prolonging Gulf crisis: Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday said prolonging the Gulf crisis was not in the interest of anyone, local media reported.

Erdogan made the remarks at Istanbul airport while leaving here on a two-day trip to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar, Xinhua reported.

The crisis with Qatar has put Turkey in a delicate position and Erdogan has repeatedly said he wants to see the end of the dispute as soon as possible.

Qatar has been Turkey's key ally in the Middle East, with both countries sharing common stance on a number of regional issues.

Erdogan said he supported the mediation efforts of Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah -- an indication that Ankara sees Kuwait as the key to resolving the crisis.

Qatar's emir said on Friday that he was ready for talks to resolve the crisis so long as the emirate's sovereignty is respected.

--IANS

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