New Delhi: The death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was described as a "tremendous mistake" by Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi Arabia foreign minister. Jubeir admitted that it had been a "rogue operation" carried out by individuals who "exceeded their responsibilities" and then "tried to cover up for it". But he sought to shield the crown prince from the widening crisis by saying that Mohammed bin Salman had not been aware. In an interview with Fox News, Jubeir insisted that the operation was not ordered by the crown prince known by his initials MBS, and also adding that "we don't know where the body is".

Jubeir was quoted as saying that the Saudi leadership initially believed Khashoggi had left its diplomatic mission in Istanbul, where he was last seen on October 2. But following "reports we were getting from Turkey," Saudi authorities began an investigation, which discovered "he was killed in the consulate."

"We don't know, in terms of details, how. We don't know where the body is," Jubeir said, adding that the Saudi public prosecutor had ordered the detention of 18 individuals, "the first step in a long journey." He termed the killing a "tremendous mistake" but one which the US-Saudi relationship would eventually overcome.

"The individuals who did this, did this outside the scope of their authority. There obviously was a tremendous mistake made, and what compounded the mistake was the attempt to try to cover up," Jubeir said. "That is unacceptable in any government. These things unfortunately happen. We want to make sure that those who are responsible are punished, and we want to make sure we have procedures in place to prevent it from happening again."

On Saturday, the Saudi authorities said that Khashoggi died in the course of a "fight" with agents who were trying to interrogate him in the legation. The UK, France and Germany said on Sunday that Saudi Arabia's version of Khashoggi's death needs to be supported by "facts" to be considered "credible". Australia, Canada and the UN had also demanded greater clarity around Khashoggi's death.

In his strongest comments to date on the affair, President Donald Trump accused Saudi Arabia of lying about the killing of Khashoggi. A growing chorus of US lawmakers including several from President Donald Trump's Republican Party have criticized the Saudi leadership over the affair, but Jubeir was confident the US-Saudi relationship would survive the crisis."The strategic relationship is important for both countries," he said. "I believe when the investigation is over and the facts are revealed, people know who is responsible and see those individuals punished, that the relationship will weather this."

He added that Saudi King Salman was "determined to see this investigation through, determined to ascertain the facts, determined to hold those responsible accountable and determined to put in place policies and procedures in the security services to prevent something like this from ever happening again."


Who was Jamal Khashoggi


• Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi was a Saudi Arabian journalist, author, and a former general manager and editor-in-chief of Al-Arab News Channel.
• He also served as editor for the Saudi Arabian newspaper Al Watan, turning it into a platform for Saudi Arabian progressives.
• He was a prominent journalist who covered major stories including the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the rise of Osama Bin Laden for various Saudi news organisations.
• He was close to the Saudi royal family for decades, as reported by BBC news.
• He also served as an adviser to the Saudi government.
• The journalist, who has espoused both Islamist and liberal views throughout his decades-long career in the press, was engaged to a Turkish citizen.
• US President Trump
• He would have been 60 this month
• He had sought refuge in the United States after fleeing his native Saudi Arabia after the 2017 appointment of strongman Mohammed bin Salman as heir to the throne.
• The journalist was engaged to a Turkish woman.

(With inputs from agencies)