WASHINGTON – US Defense Secretary James Mattis said on Saturday that the United States would take additional measures against those responsible in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
In his prepared remarks which he will give at the annual Manama Dialogue security conference in Bahrain, the US official expressed that incidents like the killing of a Saudi journalist undermined Middle Eastern stability.
‘With our collective interests in peace and unwavering respect for human rights in mind, the murder of Jamal Khashoggi in a diplomatic facility must concern us all,’ Mattis said.
He continued that the failure of any nation to adhere to international norms and the rule of law undermines regional stability at a time when it is needed the most, falling short of taking aim at the Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman.
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Though Mattis made blunt remarks about the incident involving US resident, he said the killing would not diminish ties with Oil-rich Saudi Arabia.
“Our Secretary of State has already revoked visas and will be taking additional measures,” Mattis announced.
The killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi national and Washington Post columnist, has sparked outrage among Riyadh’s Western allies and Turkey as well.
US President Donald Trump has said he wants to get to the bottom of the case, highlighting Riyadh’s role as an ally against Iran and Islamist militants, as well as a major consumer of US arms.
Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor admitted that Khashoggi’s killing was premeditated, in a contradiction with a previous official statement that it happened accidentally during a fistfight in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
meanwhile, the son of slain journalist has left Saudi Arabia, days after meeting King Salman and Crown Prince, Mohamed bin Salman, who is alleged to be behind the plot – though no official confirmation is available.
