US will stand by Saudis, even though prince may have had knowledge of killing

Trump says US intelligence agencies were still studying the evidence of how Khashoggi was murdered at Saudi consulate

WASHINGTON DC: President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the United States intends to remain a "steadfast partner" of Saudi Arabia even though Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman may have known about the plan to kill journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Trump, in a statement issued by the White House, indicated
he had no intention of cancelling military contracts with Riyadh,
saying, "if we foolishly cancel these contracts, Russia and
China would be the enormous beneficiaries."



Trump said US intelligence agencies were still studying the evidence of how Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, and who planned it.

"Our intelligence agencies continue to assess all information, but it could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event - maybe he did and maybe he
didn't!" Trump said.