DOHA, Qatar 

The leaders of Qatar and Kazakhstan held talks over the phone on Saturday to discuss efforts to restore calm to the central Asian country.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad made a phone call with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who briefed the Qatari leader on efforts to restore calm and bolster security and stability in Kazakhstan, the emir’s office said in a statement.

Tamim expressed his confidence in the ability of the Kazakh authorities to overcome their country's crisis and "restore the situation to normal in the brotherly nation," the statement said.

According to the statement, the two leaders reviewed ways to develop friendship and cooperation relations between the two countries.

At least 18 security officers and 26 protesters were killed in violence stemming from protests over rising fuel prices in Kazakhstan in the past week.

According to the Kazakh Interior Ministry, 4,266 people were detained, including citizens of neighboring countries, over the violence.

In response to the unrest, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a state of emergency in the commercial capital Almaty and the oil-rich Mangystau region.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar