US will get to bottom of journalist Khashoggi's death: Trump
President Donald Trump has said the US will get to the bottom of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi case and asserted he would not like to scrap an arms deal with Riyadh, amid a global outrage over the dissident scribe's death. Saudi Arabia in a statement Saturday said Khashoggi (60) died following a "fistfight" at its Consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Here's more.
Congress would have a role to play, said Trump
"It's something that we don't like. And we're going to get to the bottom of it and will make that determination," Trump told reporters in Nevada on Saturday. His comment came when asked about his previous statement that he would be considering severe consequences for Saudi Arabia following the journalist's death. Saudi Arabia hasn't even disclosed any details on the whereabouts of Khashoggi's body.
We'll have very much Congress involved in the case: Trump
While responding to a question, the US President indicated that he would let the Congressmen take lead on the issue of particularly determining the action that needs to be taken against Saudi Arabia. Trump said the Congress would have a role to play in it. "We will have very much Congress involved in determining what to do," he said.
We're going to know a lot by Monday, says Trump
"I might know a lot by Monday. I know a lot already. We're going to know over the next two or three days. We're getting a lot of information in as we speak," Trump said indicating that things might be clearer by Monday.
Will Trump scrap mega arms and investment deal? Not really
However, Trump insisted that he would not like to scrap the mega arms and investment deal, worth $450 billion, with Saudi Arabia as this would impact over 600,000 jobs in the US. The President said he is also speaking with states where jobs could be impacted and said that "sanctions" is one of the things that he would consider.
And, still Trump calls Saudi Arabia a 'great ally'
Describing Saudi Arabia as a "great ally", Trump said it has also been a tremendous investor in the US. "They invested, and we're right now the largest supplier of energy in the world. We're the United States. And it happened, and I hate to tell you, over the last 18 months and we're now the biggest in the world," he said.
What's going in Iran is brutal: Trump
Trump said, "But still they're a major, major supplier. They're actually number two, and we have to take all of these things into account. Very important." The President said, "Saudi Arabia has been a great ally of ours. That's why this is so sad. Look at what goes on in Iran and the viciousness of that regime, and it's brutal. It's a brutal regime."
Saudi Arabia launched in-depth investigation into the case
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has said 18 persons have been arrested into the case. "Preliminary investigations revealed that the discussions that took place between him and the persons who met him at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul led to a brawl and a fist fight with the citizen, Jamal Khashoggi, which led to his death," Saudi Attorney General Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb said.
American lawmakers demand action against the Arab nation
Saudi Arabia has said that an in-depth investigation into the case is being conducted. However, top American lawmakers have said the Saudi statement was not credible and demanded action against the Arab nation.
