Press TV- Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says a sweeping list of demands issued by four Arabstates isan unlawful intervention against Qatar'ssovereignty and a violation of international law.
Speaking on Sunday, Erdogan said he welcomed Dohas rejection of the demands because we consider the 13-point list against international law," Turkeys official Anadolu news agency reported.
Read more:
Turkey and Iran threw support behind Qatar, and started shipping foodto the country after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and the United Arab Emiratessevered diplomatic ties, and cut all land, sea, and air contacts with the emirate on June 5.
"What we are talking about here is an attack on the sovereign rights of a state," Erdogan said, adding "there cannot be such an attack on countries' sovereignty rights in international law."
Qatar on Saturday denounced the ultimatum as unreasonable and an impingement on itssovereignty.
The sanctioning countries accuse Qatar of supporting terrorism and destabilizing the region, allegations vehemently denied by Doha.
The punitive measures have raised human rights concerns, with UK-based rights body Amnesty International saying the sanctioning countries are toying with the lives of thousands of Persian Gulf residents as part of their dispute with Doha.
The demands include Qatarshutting down its Al Jazeera news network, which has ruffled feathers time and again among Saudi Arabia and its allies with its critiques, as well as limiting its ties with Iran and closing down a Turkish military base.
Erdogan dismissed calls for Turkey to close themilitary base inQatar, calling it a"disrespect" to his country.
Turkey has sent two contingents of troops with columns of armored vehicles toQatar since the crisis erupted on June 5, with Defense Minister Fikri Isik saying furtherreinforcements would be beneficial.
According to Hurriyet newspaper, the two countries will hold a joint exercise following theEidal-Fitr holiday which started on Sunday.
The report said the number ofTurkish troops sent to Qatarcould eventually reach1,000, with an air force contingent also envisaged.
# Tags
Latest News
Most viewed
