SAUDIS OFFERED TO ‘ COMPLETE’ PROBE: MATTIS

Prague, Oct. 28: Saudi Arabia has promised a “full” investigation into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, US defence secretary Jim Mattis said on Sunday following talks with Saudi foreign minister Adel al- Jubeir in Bahrain.

“We discussed it... the need of transparency, full and complete investigation. Full agreement from FM Jubeir, no reservations at all,” Mattis told reporters following the talks, during which he warned the Saudi kingdom that the murder attributed to the Saudi authorities risked destabilising the region.

“No reservations at all. He ( Jubeir) said we need to know what happened and it was very collaborative, in agreement,” the Pentagon chief told reporters on a flight from Manama to Prague where he will mark the centenary of Czechoslovakia.

Addressing a forum in Manama on Saturday, Mattis warned that “the murder of Jamal Khashoggi in a diplomatic facility must concern us all greatly”.

“Failure of any nation to adhere to international norms and the rule of law undermines regional stability at a time when it is needed most,” he stressed. The murder, which has tarnished the image of Crown Prince Moha- mmed, has sparked a wave of international criticism and affected Washington's relations with the kingdom. The US relies heavily on Saudi Arabia to counter Iran’s influence in the region and to defend the security of Israel.

■ MATTIS SAID Saudi foreign minister Ad- el al- Jubeir fully agreed to the need to "full" investigation into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi