Trump defends Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi murder
US President Donald Trump has strongly defended ties with Saudi Arabia despite international condemnation of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.
Refusing to break with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman over the killing Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul,
Trump effectively told global despots that if they side with him “Washington will turn a blind eye to actions that infringe traditional US values”.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a “steadfast partner” that has agreed to invest “a record amount of money” in the US, Mr. Trump said in a statement.
Donald Trump’s statement said, It could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event – “maybe HE DID and maybe HE DIDN’t” !
Later on Tuesday, Mr. Trump said, that the CIA had not made a 100% determination on the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul.
The United States intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure the interests of our country, Israel and all other partners in the region.
Mr. Trump later said he would meet Mohammed bin Salman at a G20 meeting in Argentina next week if the crown prince attended.
Meanwhile, Lindsey Graham, a senator from Mr Trump’s Republican Party, has predicted strong bipartisan support in Congress for serious sanctions against Saudi Arabia “including appropriate members of the royal family”.
Javad Zarif, Foreign Minister of Iran tweeted, his disgust at the Trump’s Shameful statement, calling it disgraceful.
