BICOM

US President Donald Trump has dispatched his secretary of state to Saudi Arabia to meet King Salman amid growing controversy over the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Speaking to reporters after a phone call with King Salman, Trump suggested that “rogue killers” could be behind Khashoggi’s disappearance. He also said that King Salman told him “in a very firm way that they had no knowledge of it”.

A Saudi official told Reuters that “the king has ordered the public prosecutor to open an internal investigation into the Khashoggi matter based on the information from the joint team in Istanbul”. State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said yesterday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo “looks forward to meeting with King Salman”.

A report by CNN last night claimed the Saudi Government could soon admit that Khashoggi was killed inside its consulate in Istanbul as a result of a plan to interrogate and kidnap him that went wrong. One source said the report will likely conclude that the operation was carried out without clearance and transparency and that those involved will be held responsible.

The UK, Germany and France have demanded a credible investigation. Their foreign ministers said that if anyone were found responsible they should be held accountable and urged a detailed response from Riyadh. UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said what happens now is “absolutely up to Saudi Arabia”.

Turkish and Saudi investigators entered the Saudi consulate on Monday afternoon after Saudi Arabia agreed to allow Turkish officials to conduct a search but insisted it would only be a “visual” inspection. Turkey initially rejected the proposal. Turkish police left the Saudi consulate again this morning after an overnight search.