Saudi Arabia chides U.S. Senate over Khashoggi

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry issued a statement on Monday condemning as ”blatant interference” U.S. Senate resolutions that blame the Kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and calling for an end to U.S. support for Riyadh’s military intervention in Yemen.

Ariana News Agency- Saudi Arabia has strongly rebuked the US Senate, accusing senators of unwarranted interference in the country’s internal affairs for claiming that the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, was behind the killing of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

US senators passed a measure blaming the prince for Khashoggi’s killing on Thursday and called on Riyadh to “ensure appropriate accountability”. Senators also passed a separate measure calling for US aid to the Saudi-led war in Yemen to be stopped.

The Saudi royal court tried to draw a distinction between the Senate and the Trump administration, but behind the warning was an inference that Saudi Arabia would seek allies elsewhere if necessary.

After changing its story numerous times, Saudi Arabia has claimed Khashoggi was killed on 2 October by a rogue team of Saudi agents in its consulate in Istanbul. The body has yet to be found and Turkey has rubbished the Saudi claim that the Saudi team exceeded their authority by killing Khashoggi.

Turkey claims the murder was masterminded by Saud al-Qahtani, one of the crown prince’s closest allies. Although Riyadh said Qahtani had been removed from his post, it is not clear if he is under investigation.

In a lengthy statement early on Monday, Saudi Arabia said the Senate’s resolution “contained blatant interferences” in the kingdom’s internal affairs and undermined its regional and international role. The resolution was based on “unsubstantiated claims and allegations”, the statement also said.
“The kingdom categorically rejects any interference in its internal affairs, any and all accusations, in any manner, that disrespect its leadership … and any attempts to undermine its sovereignty or diminish its stature,” it said.