Trump backs Saudi Arabia regardless of whether Crown Prince was aware of Khashoggi murder plot

President Donald Trump has said the US would remain a "steadfast partner" of Saudi Arabia whether or not its leader was aware of the assassination plot of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. 

Repeating claims from Saudi representatives that the Washington Post journalist was an “enemy of the state”, Trump said the US would stand with the country regardless of whether Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was aware of the murder plot.

Trump added that Saudi Arabia had been “very responsive” to his “requests to keeping oil prices at reasonable levels".

“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 in a statement last night.

“That being said, we may never know all of the facts surrounding the murder of Mr Jamal Khashoggi.

“In any case, our relationship is with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They have been a great ally in our very important fight against Iran.

“The United States intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure the interests of our country, Israel and all other partners in the region. It is our paramount goal to fully eliminate the threat of terrorism throughout the world.”

Last week it was reported that the CIA believes the Crown Prince is directly responsible for Khashoggi’s murder, and on Thursday the US imposed sanctions on 17 Saudi officials over their alleged roles in the journalist’s death.

Khashoggi, a US resident, disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate on 2 October, with subsequent reports suggesting he was strangled the moment he entered the building before his body was dismembered and removed.