Trump Defends Ties With Saudi Arabia Despite Khashoggi Murder

US President Donald Trump has strongly defended ties with Saudi Arabia despite international condemnation of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.

Trump said in a statement that the kingdom is a “steadfast partner” that has agreed to invest “a record amount of money” in the US.

Trump acknowledged Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman “could very well” have known about Khashoggi’s murder.

“In any case, our relationship is with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he added.

President Donald Trump walks with the Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Tuesday, March 14, 2017, along the Colonnade outside the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

The statement also stresses Saudi investment pledges and arms purchases. “If we foolishly cancel these contracts, Russia and China would be the enormous beneficiaries,” it adds.

While admitting the murder of Jamal Khashoggi was “terrible”, Trump wrote that “we may never know all of the facts” about his death.

Paul Ayorinde

Written by BoomRadioNG