Jeddah, Dubai, Ankara – As Arab and Gulf states intensified their pressure on Qatar due to its support to terrorism, Arab leaders have stressed that easing the peninsula’s isolation only depends on a radical change in its behavior and policies in the region.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz received on Wednesday in Jeddah King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa to review latest developments.

King Hamad expressed his thanks and appreciation to Saudi Arabia for supporting Bahrain’s security and stability.

Both leaders stressed their resolution to further strengthen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation at all levels.

Meanwhile, King Salman received a telephone call on Wednesday from French President Emmanuel Macron.

Talks focused on latest developments, as well as bilateral relations between the two countries.

The two sides also stressed their commitment to combat terrorism and extremism and agreed on the need to exert more strenuous efforts to dry up the sources of terrorism.

On Tuesday night, US President Donald Trump called King Salman to discuss the latest developments in the region and the world.

A statement, published early Wednesday by the SPA, said that Trump praised the Kingdom “for the leading role it played in the fight against terrorism.”

The US president stressed that he “is looking forward to strengthening joint Saudi-US efforts in combating extremism and achieving security and stability in the region.”

Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Jaber Al-Sabah headed to Dubai on Wednesday to hold talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

Well-informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the UAE side has reiterated Saudi Arabia’s stance, which stresses that ending the current crisis depends on Qatar’s changing its policies and behavior in the region.

Later on Wednesday, the Kuwaiti emir headed to Doha to continue his mediation mission.

Back to the Saudi-Bahraini summit, King Hamad reiterated that historic relations between the two royal families and peoples have always constituted the pillars of relations between the countries in the region and are still playing a major role in fostering cohesion between Gulf States.

He noted in this regard that collective measures taken by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt were necessary to face challenges.

He also commended the pioneering role of King Salman in boosting cooperation between countries in the world and fostering communication and coexistence between different cultures and peoples on the basis of tolerance, mutual respect and peace.

On a different note, the Turkish Parliament on Wednesday approved a law allowing troops to be deployed to a Turkish military base in Qatar.

The bill, which was first drafted in May, comes in line with a bilateral defense agreement signed by the two countries in 2014.