Saudi Arabia says Senate 'interfering' in Jamal Khashoggi murder probe
Saudi Arabia criticized Monday a U.S. Senate resolution that blames Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, accusing lawmakers of interfering in the kingdom's affairs and making "unsubstantiated claims."
The bipartisan resolution passed last week says the prince was behind Khashoggi’s killing. It calls on Saudi Arabia to ensure "appropriate accountability" over his death.
A separate measure in the resolution calls for the immediate end of U.S. aid to the Saudi-led war in Yemen. The resolution marked the first time the Senate has invoked Congress' war powers to challenge U.S. military involvement abroad.
A statement from Saudi Arabia's ministry of foreign affairs said the resolution "contained blatant interferences" in the nation's internal affairs and its allegations undermine its authority. "The kingdom categorically rejects any interference in its internal affairs, any and all accusations, in any manner, that disrespect its leadership … and any attempts to undermine its sovereignty or diminish its stature," it said.
Saudi-critic Khashoggi was killed inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul in early October. At the time of his death he was a columnist for the Washington Post and, fearing for his safety, lived in self-imposed exile in the Washington area.
The CIA has reportedly concluded that the Saudi crown prince ordered Khashoggi's death, but officials in Riyadh have strenuously rejected those accusations and President Donald Trump has indicated he is prepared to accept the Saudi version of the incident. The Senate vote Thursday was a rebuke to Trump, but it was also largely symbolic. The House of Representatives is not expected to vote on the measure, meaning it won't become law. The House's Republican leaders would likely block it.
Trump has boasted of Saudi arms deals worth billions of dollars and thanked the Saudis for lower oil prices. He has not condemned the crown prince.
Ahead of the Senate vote Thursday, several top lawmakers said the resolution marked the beginning, not the end, of the debate over Khashoggi's murder – and by extension, the debate over America's long-standing alliance with Saudi Arabia. "I’m never going to let this go until things change in Saudi Arabia," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
"Do you really want to transfer your most advanced technology to somebody who thinks it’s OK to lure a journalist to a consulate in Turkey … and chop him up?" Graham said, referring to reports that Khashoggi was tortured and dismembered. "The crown prince is so toxic, so tainted, so flawed that I can’t ever see myself doing business with Saudi Arabia" unless there's a change in leadership.
Warring sides in Yemen's conflict where millions are on the brink of starvation held peace talks in Sweden last week. The United Nations-brokered dialogue led to a ceasefire in the city of Hodeidah. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the temporary truce between the Saudi-backed government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels "encouraging."
Hodeidah is a vital port for food and humanitarian supplies.
More: Jamal Khashoggi, journalists named TIME's 2018 Person of the Year
More: New hope emerges for end to war in Yemen in wake of Jamal Khashoggi’s killing
More: Who is Saudi Arabia’s crown prince? A reformer and ruthless ruler
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Saudi Arabia says Senate 'interfering' in Jamal Khashoggi murder probe
