DUBAI (AP):

Sudan has said that it would not take sides in the diplomatic crisis in the Gulf amid calls from Sudanese lawmakers to back Qatar, its oil-rich ally, against Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.

Responding to questions from lawmakers on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour said he expected Gulf Arab states to overcome the crisis given the "strong relations and blood ties" between them.

Sudan, which has close political and economic ties to Qatar, has expressed concern over "the regretful development between brotherly Arab states". It also offered to mediate to defuse tensions, according to its state news agency.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt have severed diplomatic ties and suspended air and sea links with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism. Qatar denies the allegations.