Mike Pompeo, US secretary of state, has urged Saudi Arabia to conduct a “thorough, transparent and timely” investigation into the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi as he met the Saudi king and crown prince in Riyadh.
Mr Pompeo was sent by President Donald Trump and met Saudi leaders hours after reports suggested that the kingdom was considering saying Mr Khashoggi was killed by rogue operatives during a botched interrogation.
Mr Trump had described Mr Pompeo’s visit as a fact-finding mission, though the president has signalled he was prepared to accept Saudi denials of responsibility. On Monday, Mr Trump said “rogue killers” could be responsible.