Pompeo: Saudi Leaders Committed To Holding Khashoggi's Killers Accountable

January 14, 2019

Saudi Arabia's rulers have "reiterated their commitment" to hold the killers of prominent Saudi columnist Jamal Khashoggi accountable, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said in Riyadh.

Saudi King Salman and the kingdom's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, "both acknowledge that this accountability needs to take place," Pompeo said following talks with the two leaders.

A CIA assessment has blamed the crown prince for ordering the killing of Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

Saudi officials have denied he gave orders to kill Khashoggi, a prominent U.S.-based critic of the Saudi government.

Eleven individuals are currently on trial in the Saudi capital over the murder. Prosecutors said Khashoggi was killed in a "rogue" operation by agents sent to persuade him to return to the kingdom.

Pompeo who is on a tour of the Middle East, arrived in Riyadh from the Qatari capital, Doha.

He was set to head to Muscat, Oman, later in the day.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pompeo- saudi-arabia-/29708188.html

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