CAIRO - Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, the internationally recognized government of Yemen, Libya and Maldives severed their ties with Qatar on Monday, accusing it of supporting "terrorism" and financing "groups" linked to Iran, opening up the worst rift in years among some of the most powerful states in the Arab world.

China hopes the countries involved will solve the dispute through dialogue and consultation, maintain unity and promote regional peace and stability, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Monday.

The Kremlin said on Monday that it is in Russia's interest to have a "stable and peaceful" situation in the Gulf, adding it also hopes that the diplomatic row will not affect "the common determination and resolve" in the joint fight against "international terrorism".