DOHA

After arriving in the capital Doha city of Qatar on Thursday afternoon, the Turkish president and the Qatari emir held a meeting at the Pearl Palace to discuss "mutual relations between the two friendly and brotherly countries."

The meeting of Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani lasted three hours and was closed to the press.

Erdogan arrived Thursday afternoon in Doha on a day-long official visit.

Qatari Defense Minister Khalid bin Muhammad Al-Attiyah and other officials received the Turkish president at the airport.

Erdogan is flanked by Finance Minister Berat Albayrak and National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.

He is also accompanied by Turkey's Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin and intelligence organization chief Hakan Fidan.

Erdogan concluded his visit and returned to Turkey at 12:45 am (2145GMT)  early Friday.

This is the first overseas visit by Erdogan since the start of the coronavirus outbreak. 

* Writing by Havva Kara Aydin and Ali Abo Rezeg in Ankara.