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. 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. 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.

Source: The Guardian December 17, 2018 03:19 UTC