President Trump says he does not want to listen to an audio recording of the murder of a Saudi journalist, despite facing mounting pressure to punish Saudi Arabia for the killing.
For more on this and other news around the world we turn to our Ro Aram…
Aram… tell us more…
Well Mark… President Trump told Fox News on Sunday that he was fully briefed on Jamal Khashoggi's murder.
He said he did not want to listen to the tape because he already knew the gruesome details in it.
"Because it's a suffering tape, It's a terrible tape. I've been fully briefed on it. There's no reason for me to hear it. In fact, I said to the people 'should I?' They said 'you really shouldn't. There's no reason.' I know exactly -- I know everything that went on in the time without having to hear it."
The CIA has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the killing of Khashoggi, who was outspoken critic of the Saudi leadership.
Trump added he did not want to point the finger at Prince Salman, but noted that people close to the de-facto leader may have been involved.
Trump faces intense pressure from senior Democratic and Republican lawmakers to take tougher action against Riyadh.
Some have urged Trump to drop his support for the Saudis and others have suggested the U.S. suspend arms sales to the kingdom.
Trump has so far resisted that pressure and said he wants to maintain a close relationship with Riyadh despite Khashoggi's murder.
"…….But at the same time, we do have an ally and I want to stick with an ally that, in many ways, has been very good."
Washington has imposed economic sanctions on 17 Saudi officials for their alleged role in the killing, but they did not target the Saudi government.
For more on this and other news around the world we turn to our Ro Aram…
Aram… tell us more…
Well Mark… President Trump told Fox News on Sunday that he was fully briefed on Jamal Khashoggi's murder.
He said he did not want to listen to the tape because he already knew the gruesome details in it.
"Because it's a suffering tape, It's a terrible tape. I've been fully briefed on it. There's no reason for me to hear it. In fact, I said to the people 'should I?' They said 'you really shouldn't. There's no reason.' I know exactly -- I know everything that went on in the time without having to hear it."
The CIA has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the killing of Khashoggi, who was outspoken critic of the Saudi leadership.
Trump added he did not want to point the finger at Prince Salman, but noted that people close to the de-facto leader may have been involved.
Trump faces intense pressure from senior Democratic and Republican lawmakers to take tougher action against Riyadh.
Some have urged Trump to drop his support for the Saudis and others have suggested the U.S. suspend arms sales to the kingdom.
Trump has so far resisted that pressure and said he wants to maintain a close relationship with Riyadh despite Khashoggi's murder.
"…….But at the same time, we do have an ally and I want to stick with an ally that, in many ways, has been very good."
Washington has imposed economic sanctions on 17 Saudi officials for their alleged role in the killing, but they did not target the Saudi government.
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