Riyadh ‘completely rejects’ US report naming prince in Khashoggi killing

RIYADH – Saudi Arabia yesterday said it “completely rejects” a declassified United States report that found de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s 2018 murder.

“The government of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia completely rejects the negative, false and unacceptable assessment in the report pertaining to the kingdom’s leadership, and notes that the report contained inaccurate information and conclusions,” said the Foreign Ministry in a statement.

In the partially redacted report released yesterday by President Joe Biden’s administration, US intelligence concluded that the prince “approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey, to capture or kill” Khashoggi.

Saudi Arabia previously described the murder as a rogue operation, and has vehemently denied the involvement of the crown prince, popularly known by his initials MBS.

“It is truly unfortunate that this report, with its unjustified and inaccurate conclusions, is issued while the kingdom has clearly denounced this heinous crime, and the kingdom’s leadership took the necessary steps to ensure that such a tragedy never takes place again,” said the ministry.

“The kingdom rejects any measure that infringes upon its leadership, sovereignty, and the independence of its judicial system.”

Khashoggi, a staunch critic of MBS, was lured to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018 and murdered by a Saudi squad.

The US report said given the crown prince’s influence, it is “highly unlikely” that the murder could have taken place without his green light.

Following the release of the report, US State Secretary Antony Blinken said Washington wants to “recalibrate” but not “rupture” its relations with Riyadh, a long-standing security partner in the Middle East.

Despite its anger over the report, Saudi Arabia also stressed that it is keen to maintain the relationship.

“The partnership between Saudi Arabia and the US is a robust and enduring partnership,” said the ministry.

“We look forward to maintaining the enduring foundations that have shaped the framework of the resilient strategic partnership between the kingdom and the US.” – AFP, February 27, 2021