Turkey Mideast allies rally behind strongman Erdogan

Doha: Turkey's regional allies today condemned a deadly but foiled coup attempt by a faction of the army against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's rule.

Key regional powers Iran and Israel, which have both had strained relationships with Erdogan's government, condemned the putsch that began late yesterday.

Despite the enmity between the Turkish and Syrian governments, officials in Damascus did not comment on the failed coup, which was reported by state media including the SANA news agency.

Damascus regularly accuses Ankara of supporting "terrorist groups" fighting regime forces in Syria, while Erdogan has repeatedly called for the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

In Iran, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif hailed the Turkish people's "defence of democracy & their elected government" which he said "proves that coups have no place in our region and are doomed to fail."

"Deeply concerned about the crisis in Turkey," Zarif tweeted late yesterday.

"Stability, democracy & safety of Turkish people are paramount. Unity & prudence are imperative."

Israel, which last month approved a deal to restore ties with Ankara that were frozen after a deadly Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound Turkish ship in 2010, also condemned the coup attempt.

"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.

Iran's regional arch foe Saudi Arabia also welcomed Erdogan retaking control.

A Saudi foreign ministry official said in a statement that the kingdom "had followed with much concern developments in brotherly Turkey" and "welcomes the return of the situation to normal under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his elected government".

Gas-rich Qatar, which is close to Turkey, was quick to condemn the coup attempt and congratulate Erdogan.

In a telephone call with the Turkish leader, Qatari emir Sheikh 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.

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 (of) 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.