US President Donald Trump on Friday called out Qatar as a historic supporter of "terrorism," urging both the Gulf emirate and its regional neighbors to do more to combat extremism.

"The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level," Trump told a press conference at the White House. "They have to end that funding."

"We ask Qatar and other nations in the region to do more and do it faster."

Trump's comments came after his top diplomat Rex Tillerson urged Saudi Arabia and its regional allies to ease their blockade imposed on Qatar -- while urging Doha to do more to crack down on support for terrorism.