European countries and the U.S. have increased the pressure on Saudi authorities to reveal what they know about Jamal Khashoggi, who has been missing since Oct. 2, after entering the country’s consulate in Istanbul. “The disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul… has raised serious questions about his fate. France asks that the facts be clearly established and that all those who can contribute to the truth fully contribute to it,” French Foreign ministry spokeswoman Agnes Von der Muhll said in a statement Friday. German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert said: “The German government is seriously concerned over Khashoggi’s disappearance without a trace, and sweeping suspicions [on the disappearance] are horrifying.” Seibert said a prompt and extensive investigation should clarify the journalist’s disappearance. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said he’s talked to officials at the highest level of the Saudi kingdom and is “demanding everything” to explain how Khashoggi, an activist who had been critical of Saudi leaders, vanished after he walked into the consulate in Istanbul to get documents he needed to get married. Trump said Friday that he would call Saudi Arabia’s King Salman soon to raise the issue of Khashoggi’s disappearance. According to the Associated Press, Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Trump supporter and top member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said: “We want to have a relationship with Saudi Arabia. They’re a strategic partner. They’re a mortal enemy of the Iranians. They’re helping us on terrorism.” But added, “Having said all that, if this did happen… [Read full story]
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