LEFT: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses members of parliament during a meeting at the Turkish parliament in Ankara, Turkey, May 30, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas; BACKGROUND: Parliamentarians attend a swearing-in ceremony at the Turkish parliament in Ankara, Turkey, June 23, 2015. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

 

Turkey's parliament on Wednesday approved a draft bill that allows its troops to be deployed at a Turkish military base in Qatar, an apparent yet surprising move to support the Gulf Arab country as it faces diplomatic and trade isolation from some of the biggest Middle Eastern powers.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain severed ties with Qatar and closed their airspace to commercial flights on Monday, alleging that it was financing militant groups. Qatar, however, denies the accusations.

The bill, drafted before the rift, was passed with 240 votes in favour, largely with support from the ruling AK Party and nationalist opposition MHP.