Turkey says it has no plans to shut down its military base in Qatar as demanded by Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations that have cut ties with Doha.

Kuwait – which is mediating between Qatar and its Arab neighbors – presented a list of those states’ demands to the Qataris. The list includes an end to Turkey’s military presence in Qatar.

Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said on Friday the Turkish base aims to train Qatari soldiers and increase the tiny Gulf nation’s security.

Isik says in comments reported by Milliyet newspaper’s online edition that “no one should be disturbed by” the Turkish presence in Qatar.

Turkey has sided with Qatar in the dispute and its parliament has ratified legislation allowing the deployment of Turkish troops to the base. The military said a contingent of 23 soldiers reached Doha on Thursday.

Source: hosted.ap.org