Int’l Criticism over Saudi Arabia’s Explanations of Khashoggi Murder: They «Lack Credibility»

Local Editor

While the Trump administration continues to give the Saudi explanation at least some benefit of the doubt, some of the US' longest-standing allies have been sharply critical of the Kingdom's version of events.

British minister Dominic Raab said Sunday that the Saudi explanation of Khashoggi's death was not credible.

"The British government will want to see people held to account for that death," the minister for Brexit told the BBC's Andrew Marr show.

Canada released a brief statement, calling Riyadh's statement into question.

"The explanations offered to date lack consistency and credibility," Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland said in a statement.

"We reiterate our call for a thorough investigation, in full collaboration with the Turkish authorities, and a full and rigorous accounting of the circumstances surrounding Mr. Khashoggi's death.

"Those responsible for the killing must be held to account and must face justice."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was "deeply troubled" by the explanation, his spokesman said.

And in a sharp rebuke, German Chancellor Angela Merkel rejected the Saudi statement, saying that her government expected "transparency in terms of death and background. Those responsible must be held accountable. The information given at the consulates in Istanbul is insufficient."

Merkel said Sunday that her country will halt all exports of weapons to Saudi Arabia while uncertainty surrounds Khashoggi's death.

"There is an urgent need to clarify what happened," Merkel said in Berlin.

The European Union, in a statement from its high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Federica Mogherini, said it insists on "the need for continued thorough, credible and transparent investigation, shedding proper clarity on the circumstances of the killing and ensuring full accountability of all those responsible for it."

Furthermore, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison deplored the incident, saying, "We expect the Saudi government to cooperate fully with Turkish authorities regarding the investigation of this matter.”

As furor mounts over Khashoggi's death, more participants pull out of the Future Investment Initiative conference slated for October 23-25 in Riyadh.

New Zealand is the latest to cancel its participation in the summit, dubbed “Davos in the Desert.”

New Zealand's Trade Minister David Parker said in a statement that no officials from his country would attend the event.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team