UAE eases restrictions on some Qatari media

The United Arab Emirates is easing restrictions on some Qatari media.

Channels owned by Qatar-based BeIN Media were back on the air in the UAE this weekend after being unblocked by local telecoms service providers.

That's good news for sports fans and cartoon lovers. BeIN holds the regional TV rights to top flight soccer leagues and tournaments, and broadcasts popular kids channels, such as Baraem and Jeem.

The channels were suspended on June 5 after the UAE and other Arab states cut diplomatic ties with Qatar. Qatar's state TV and Al Jazeera networks remain blocked, reported CNN Online.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday began a key visit to the Gulf region aimed at defusing the standoff around Turkey's ally Qatar, saying no one had an interest in prolonging the crisis.

Erdogan arrived in Jeddah to meet the Saudi leadership before heading to Kuwait, and today to Qatar for his first face-to-face talks with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani since the crisis began, reported AFP.

"No one has any interest in prolonging this crisis any more," said Erdogan at Istanbul airport before leaving on the two-day trip.

He accused "enemies" of seeking to "fire up tensions between brothers" in the region.

Erdogan praised Qatar's behaviour in the crisis, saying it had sought to find a solution through dialogue. "I hope our visit will be beneficial for the region," he said.

On June 5, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut ties with Qatar accusing it of backing extremism and fostering ties with their Shia rival Iran. Doha denies the claim and has been strongly backed by Ankara throughout the standoff.

The crisis with Qatar has put Turkey in a delicate position and Erdogan has repeatedly said he wants to see the end of the dispute as soon as possible.