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Middle East allies rally round Turkey's President Erdogan

Close ally Qatar leads way in condemning coup attempt in Turkey, while Israel calls for democracy to hold sway in Ankara
Gazans show their support for Erdogan (MEE/Mohammed Asad)

Middle Eastern leaders have issued statements of support for Turkey's democratically elected government and have rallied behind President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. 

In a telephone call with the Turkish leader, Qatari emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani "congratulated [Erdogan] on the support of the people of Turkey on his rule against the failed military coup," the official QNA news agency reported.

Tamim "strongly condemned this failed attempt and voiced ... [Qatar's] solidarity with Turkey ... in all measures it takes to protect constitutional legitimacy, enforce the rule of law and preserve its security and stability."

Qatar is Erdogan's closest Gulf ally, sharing his sympathies for the Muslim Brotherhood that formerly ruled Egypt and which is outlawed in other Gulf Arab states.

Kuwait's emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah congratulated Erdogan on "the success of legitimacy and the victory of democracy the will of the friendly Turkish people" who have been spared "much suffering".

Bahrain made a similar statement rejecting any attempt to undermine "constitutional legitimacy under the leadership" of Erdogan and his government and stability in Turkey.

Gaza's Hamas rulers, who have friendly ties with Qatar as well as Turkey's ruling Islamic-rooted AKP party "condemned the failed coup attempt" and "congratulated the people and the Turkish leadership for successfully protecting democracy".

Turkey has recently obtained several compromises from Israel over Gaza including authorisation for Ankara to build a hospital.

On Saturday, activists - notably those linked to Hamas - called for demonstrations in solidarity with the Turkish government.

Israel, which last month approved a deal to restore ties frozen after a deadly Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound Turkish ship in 2010, also called for democracy to hold sway in Ankara.

"Israel respects the democratic process in Turkey and looks forward to the continuation of the reconciliation process between Turkey and Israel," said foreign ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon.

Erdogan called on his supporters on Saturday to remain vigilant, warning of the risks of a fresh flare-up of violence even as his forces regained control.

Turks also allegedly received a text message from Erdogan calling them to take to the streets in a "festival of democracy".

In Khartoum, President Omar al-Bashir condemned "the attempted coup in Turkey and the disturbance of security and stability in the country".

"The government of Sudan and its people stand besides President Erdogan and the people of Turkey to ensure security and stability in Turkey," the presidency statement added.

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