Amid Saudi row, Qatar thanks Russia for offering 'food supplies'

Moscow [Russia], June. 12 (ANI): Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has thanked his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov for Moscow's offer of food supplies, as the Saudi Arabia led move to blockade Qatar has led to food shortages and stockpiling. Lavrov had called for direct talks between Doha and other Arab states to overcome the diplomatic crisis and confirmed Russia's readiness to continue dialogue with Qatar in all spheres, reports Sputnik. Last Monday, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut off all diplomatic relations with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorist organizations and destabilizing the situation in the Middle East. The move was upheld by Yemen, the Maldives, Mauritius, Mauritania and Libya's eastern-based government, and the following standoff has given birth to a crisis in the energy-rich country, which relies heavily on imports. "Iran offered help, as well as other friendly countries. Russia offered us help, when we need it. But as for now we do not need it. What we use now is the channels in Turkey and other countries," Al Thani told the Rossiya 24 broadcaster in an interview. (ANI)