U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo walks with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 16, 2018.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday expressed concern about the disappearance of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi during a meeting in Riyadh with the country's foreign minister and thanked Saudi King Salman for his commitment to investigating it, the State Department said.
Pompeo met with both King Salman and Foreign Minister Ahmed al-Jubeir. "The secretary reiterated U.S. concern over Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance" in his meeting with the foreign minister, State Department Heather Nauert said in a statement.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Tuesday to discuss the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as Turkish police prepared to search the Saudi consul's residence in Istanbul in a widening probe.Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and leading critic of the Saudi crown prince, vanished after entering the consulate on Oct. 2. Turkish officials say they believe he was murdered there and his body removed, which the Saudis strongly deny.President Donald Trump, who dispatched Pompeo to Riyadh amid strained ties with the key ally, has speculated that "rogue killers" may be responsible after speaking with King Salman.After talks with king, Pompeo met Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir and will have dinner with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He may go on to Turkey.US Secretary of State to have dinner with Saudi crown princeOvernight, Turkish crime scene investigators entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the last place Khashoggi was seen before vanishing, for the first time and searched the premises for over nine hours, Reuters witnesses said.A Turkish foreign ministry source said the police would search the consulate again on Tuesday as well as the consul's residence, which Turkish television has previously reported could be linked to Khashoggi's disappearance.The case has provoked an international outcry against the world's top oil exporter, with media and business executives pulling out of an investment conference next week.HSBC CEO John Flint backed out on Tuesday , as did the CEOs of Standard Chartered and Credit Suisse.Pompeo to visit Turkey after Riyadh over KhashoggiDuring the initial consulate search, CNN reported on Monday that Saudi Arabia was preparing to acknowledge Khashoggi's death in a botched interrogation, after denying for two weeks any role in his disappearance.The New York Times, citing a person familiar with the Saudi plans, reported the crown prince had approved an interrogation or abduction of Khashoggi. It said the Saudi government, which could not be reached immediately for comment on the reports, would shield the prince by blaming an intelligence official for the bungled operation.Turkish authorities have an audio recording indicating that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate, a Turkish official and a security source have told Reuters, and have shared evidence with countries including Saudi Arabia and the United States.Pompeo was greeted at the airport by officials including Saudi ambassador to Washington, Prince Khaled bin Salman.Erdoğan says some material at Saudi consulate painted overConsulate searchSome 10 Turkish investigators left the consulate before 5 am (0200 GMT), and a Turkish prosecutor departed around 1-1/2 hours later, followed shortly after by a Saudi team, witnesses said.Forensic vehicles took away soil samples as well as a metal door from the garden, the Reuters witness said. A police dog was part of the search team."The Turkish crime scene investigators carried out searches in the consulate and took the things deemed necessary," a senior Turkish official said, after acknowledging the difficulty of collecting evidence 13 days after the alleged incident.The U.N. human rights chief on Tuesday said immunity on diplomatic premises and officials should be lifted for the Khashoggi investigation.UN rights chief Bachelet calls for lifting of immunity in Khashoggi caseTrump has threatened "severe punishment" if it turns out Khashoggi was killed in the consulate, but ruled out cancelling arms deals worth tens of billions of dollars. European allies have urged accountability for those responsible.Many members of the U.S. Congress, which has long had a testy relationship with Saudi Arabia, have issued strong criticism of the kingdom.Saudi Arabia has said it would retaliate against any pressure or economic sanctions "with greater action," and Arab allies rallied to support it.The Saudi riyal, rebounded early after falling to its lowest in two years over fears that foreign investment could shrink. Saudi stock index was down 3 percent in early Tuesday trade before it recouped some losses for a decline of 0.5 percent by 0949 GMT.The chief executive of Clariant, which has Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC) as its anchor shareholder, said rising tensions about Khashoggi could hit the Swiss speciality chemicals maker.Video: Turkish, Saudi teams search Saudi consulate building for nine hoursFamily statementKhashoggi, a familiar face on Arab talk shows, moved to Washington last year fearing retribution for his criticism of Prince Mohammed, who has cracked down on dissent with arrests.The insider never shied away from criticising Saudi policies but gained prominence in many circles, including as an adviser to former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal.Members of Khashoggi's family have called for "an independent and impartial international" investigation.Khashoggi's fiancee Hatice Cengiz, who was waiting outside the consulate the day he disappeared, tweeted a Koranic verse warning those who kill on purpose, with the hashtag "Jamal is the Martyr of the Word".
Pompeo meets Saudi king over Khashoggi case, Turks to search consul's residence
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will have dinner with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday after meeting with King Salman in Riyadh, according to reporters traveling with him, to discuss the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and a Washington Post columnist, vanished after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul two weeks ago to get marriage documents. Turkish officials say they believe he was murdered there and his body removed, which Saudi Arabia has strongly denied. US Secretary of state arrives in Riyadh to discuss Khashoggi caseSaudi riyal rebounds on report Riyadh to acknowledge Khashoggi deathSaudi embassy cancels National Day celebration in US
US Secretary of State to have dinner with Saudi crown prince
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit Turkey after his meeting with Saudi King Salman over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.According to information that Anadolu Agency received, Pompeo will come to Turkey on Wednesday and expected to meet his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.Earlier today, President Donald Trump said that Pompeo was being dispatched to meet Saudi King Salman to discuss about the disappearance of Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and columnist for the Washington Post newspaper, has gone missing since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.Teams probing Saudi journalist's disappearance leave Istanbul consulateThe State Department confirmed the travel announcement, saying that Pompeo will leave for Riyadh Monday.Earlier on Monday, Turkish and Saudi officials arrived at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul after the start of a joint probe into the missing journalist.Saudi authorities have yet to give a clear explanation of what happened to Khashoggi, while several countries -- particularly Turkey, the U.S., and the U.K. -- are pressing for the mystery to be cleared up as soon as possible.Saudi Arabia to admit Khashoggi was killed: report
Pompeo to visit Turkey after Riyadh over Khashoggi