Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said “unfortunately there has been "hysteria in the media" regarding the case of Saudi Citizen Jamal Khashoggi before investigations were concluded.
During the 14th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Manama Dialogue, Jubeir cautioned that "investigations take time."
Eighteen Saudis have been arrested in connection with Khashoggi’s death. “The individuals are Saudi nationals, they are detained in Saudi Arabia, the investigation is in Saudi Arabia and they will be prosecuted in Saudi Arabia," he affirmed.
Jubeir also confirmed Saudi-US ties, saying: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a strategic relationship with the United States.”
"That relationship is ironclad. Saudi Arabia has been an ally of the Western countries since the beginning of the third Saudi state … it’s not going to change."
During a discussion session that witnessed the participation of Bahrain’s foreign minister Shiekh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Jubeir said, “The GCC will remain the most important institution for the Gulf States.”
The FM aslo described ties with Iraq as excellent, noting that the kingdom has investments in this country and plans to open two consulates.
Bahrain’s FM told the conference that the Gulf bloc would remain a “pillar” of regional security and that a proposed security alliance grouping the United States, Gulf states, Jordan and Egypt would be activated next year.
Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary James Mattis called the death of Khashoggi a national security concern for nations in the Middle East. Our Secretary of State will be taking additional measures as the situation is clarified," Mattis said.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo this week announced moves against 21 Saudis to either revoke their visas or make them ineligible for US visas after the Khashoggi death.
