Erdogan: Resolve Qatar Dispute By End of Ramadan

The foreign minister said the objective of Turkey's military base in Qatar was to contribute to the security of the Gulf region and not a specific state.

They accuse Qatar of supporting terrorism and destabilizing the region with ties to their Shiite rival, Iran, and its support for groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. Turkey has also pledged to provide food and water supplies to Qatar.

Saudi Arabia and its allies are demanding an immediate change of policy by Qatar was essential.

A separate SPA report on Saturday acknowledged Tillerson's call for Qatar to curtail support for terrorism, without mentioning that he had also said the crisis was hurting ordinary Qataris, impairing business and harming the US fight against the Islamic State militant group.

Russia's top diplomat Sergey Lavrov and Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met in Moscow Saturday. "With over eight million Indian expatriates living and working in these countries, we have vital stakes in the regional peace and stability", the ministry said in a release.

Nations behind a blockade on Qatar have welcomed strong comments from President Donald Trump backing their move, but were silent on calls from his secretary of state to ease the measures.

"For us, unity is clearly necessary for maximum effect on this front (against terrorism)", he said.

"Fighting terrorism and extremism is no longer a choice, rather ... a commitment requiring decisive and swift action to cut off all funding sources for terrorism regardless of its financier", the official Saudi Press Agency reported, citing a government source. The tiny island-nation of Bahrain, which hosts the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet in the Persian Gulf, similarly said it "praised the statement made by President Donald Trump".

Tillerson said the blockade was hindering the US-led campaign against the Islamic State group and having humanitarian consequences for ordinary people.

On Friday, the USA president and secretary of state took contrasting approaches to Washington's mediation efforts. Many Qataris also live in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and UAE.

James Lynch - Deputy Director of Amnesty International's Global Issues Programme.

Qatar's Arab neighbours have blacklisted entities such as Qatar Airways over their alleged extremist connection, with Barca shirts sporting the airline's logo said to be outlawed. He also risks losing his job.

"There can be no justification for tearing families apart, suppressing peaceful expression, and leaving migrant workers abandoned and at risk", said Lynch.