US President Donald Trump said
Friday he found Saudi Arabia's explanation about the death of dissident
journalist Jamal Khashoggi credible and termed it an "important first
step."
Trump added if the US takes action, he does not want it to impact
arms sales to the kingdom, which said Khashoggi was killed in a fight at
its Istanbul consulate. Turkish officials pointed to a state-sanctioned
hit.
"I do, I do," Trump said when asked if he found the Saudis'
explanation credible, adding: "It's early, we haven't finished our
review or investigation, but... I think it's a very important first
step."
"I would prefer, if there is going to be some form of sanction or
what we may determine to do, if anything... that we don't use as
retribution canceling $110 billion worth of work, which means 600,000
jobs," he said during a visit to Arizona, referring to a major arms deal
with the kingdom.
Trump has sent mixed messages about Khashoggi for days, vowing a
severe response but also saying that the United States wants to preserve
its close relationship with the conservative kingdom.
Members of the US Congress were far harsher in the wake of the kingdom's admission that Khashoggi was dead.
Read
More: Trump: Explanation for journalist's death is credible The
president says if the U.S. did take action over Jamal Khashoggi's death,
he doesn't want it to impact arms sales to Saudi Arabia. 'Means 600,000
jobs' »
