Not giving cover to Saudis: Trump

washington — US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he was not trying to give cover to Saudi Arabia over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Trump said the US has asked Turkey for audio and video it may have related to Khashoggi’s disappearance after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Trump said he does not want to walk away from Saudi Arabia. “I do not want to do that,” he said, arguing the US relies on the kingdom in the fight against terrorism. —

If a country engages in activity that is unlawful, it’s unacceptable. No one is going to defend activity of that nature.

Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State

ankara — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says America takes the disappearance of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi “seriously.”

Pompeo made the comments to journalists after leaving Turkey on Wednesday during a quick visit that included a talk with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Pompeo said Erdogan “made clear that the Saudis had cooperated with the investigation that the Turks are engaged in and they are going to share information.”

Asked if he heard or asked to hear audio of Khashoggi’s alleged slaying, he said: “I don’t have anything to say about that.” Pompeo stressed that the US and Saudi Arabia have important links, including working on countering Iran.

However, he said: “If a country engages in activity that is unlawful,

it’s unacceptable. No one is going to defend activity of that nature. They need to simply say what happened.”

Pompeo said that Saudi Arabia told him their investigation into the disappearance and alleged killing of Khashoggi won’t spare anyone, including royals.

Pompeo told journalists on Wednesday morning before flying to Turkey that the kingdom promised a “transparent investigation.”

Pompeo said: “They made a commitment to hold anyone connected to any wrongdoing that may be found accountable for that, whether they are a senior officer or official.”

Asked if that would include members of the royal family, America’s top diplomat said: “They made no exceptions on who they would hold accountable.”

“They (Saudis) made a commitment that they would show the entire world the results of their investigation,” said Pompeo.