Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MbS) said in a television interview that he takes “full responsibility” for the grisly killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but he denied allegations that he ordered it. Nonetheless, MbS will always be wearing smell of Khashoggi murder on his skin.
In his interview on “60 minutes”, which aired September 29, MbS said:
This was a heinous crime. But I take full responsibility as a leader in Saudi Arabia, especially since it was committed by individuals working for the Saudi government.
Norah O’Donnell then asked him if he ordered the killing of Khashoggi, MbS replied: “Absolutely not.”
However, he admitted that killing Khashoggi was a mistake.
THUG SAUD AL-QAHTANI
Saud al-Qahtani, MbS most trusted aide and an immoral hack with a Freudian complex, stood behind most of the killings of journalists, the kidnappings of prominent businessmen and women activists, and the beating of prime ministers like Saad al-Hariri of Lebanon. In an article published recently, the Washington Post detailed some of his grisly past.
Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Turkey on Oct. 2, 2018, to collect a document that he needed to marry his Turkish fiancee. Agents of the Saudi government killed Khashoggi inside the consulate and then dismembered and disposed of his body. Saudi Arabia has charged 11 people in the slaying and put them on trial, which the kingdom held in total secrecy. As of yet, the government has convicted no one.
A U.N. report asserted that Saudi Arabia bore responsibility for the killing. The report cited that the global community should investigate MbS possible role in it. In Washington, Congress has said it believes Mohammad bin Salman is “responsible for the murder.” Saudi Arabia has long insisted the crown prince had no involvement in an operation that included agents who reported directly to him.
PRICELESS LOGIC
“Some think that I should know what 3 million people working for the Saudi government do daily,” the powerful heir told “60 Minutes.” It’s impossible that the 3 million would send their daily reports to the leader or the second-highest person in the Saudi government.
MbS also addressed the Sept. 14 missile and drone attack on Saudi oil facilities. While Yemen’s Iranian-allied Houthi rebels claimed the assault, Saudi Arabia has said it was “unquestionably sponsored by Iran.”
MbS, speaking of Iran’s attack, said:
There is no strategic goal. Only a fool would attack 5% of global supplies. The only strategic goal is to prove that they are stupid and that is what they did.
He urged “strong and firm action to deter Iran.”
AP contributed to this article.
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