Trump addresses possible involvement of Saudi royals in killing Khashoggi !
In a separate interview with the Wall Street Journal, Mr Trump addressed the possible involvement of Saudi royals in killing Khashoggi and said he did not believe King Salman had prior knowledge of the operation.
Mr Trump’s public criticism of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday was his strongest so far, but he has continued to highlight the kingdom’s importance as a US ally.
When asked about the possible role of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the president replied: “He’s running things and so if anybody were going to be [informed], it would be him.”
He said he had questioned the crown prince about Khashoggi’s death, and been told he did not know about the operation when it was being planned.
Asked if he believed the royal family’s denial, Mr Trump reportedly gave a long pause before saying: “I really want to believe them.”
US President has said that “Saudi Arabia’s response to the murder of the dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi is “the worst cover-up ever”.
Trump also said US intelligence officials were returning from Turkey and Saudi Arabia with information about the case.
CIA director Gina Haspel has been sent to Turkey. Intelligence officials have shared an audio recording from inside the Saudi consulate with her, the Daily Sabah newspaper says. The reported recording is said to reveal gruesome details of the murder.
Read also: Khashoggi’s Body Parts Found In Garden Of Saudi Consul General’s Home – Sources
WSJ and BBC.