Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stood to defend Qatar on Tuesday, saying he intends to "develop" ties with the embattled Gulf state hit by sanction from Saudi Arabia and its allies.

"We find that the sanctions taken against Qatar are not good," Erdogan said in a speech in Ankara. 

"Turkey will continue and develop our ties with Qatar, as with all our friends who have supported us in the most difficult moments," he added in reference to last year's failed coup.