US News and World Report/Reuters: Biden Says Saudi Announcement to Come Monday; White House Plays Down New Steps
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden on Saturday said his administration would make an announcement on Saudi Arabia on Monday, following a U.S. intelligence report that found Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had approved the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The Biden administration has faced some criticism, notably an editorial in the Washington Post, that the president should have been tougher on the crown prince, who was not sanctioned despite being blamed for approving Khashoggi's murder.
Asked about punishing the crown prince, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, who is also known as MbS, Biden said: "There will be an announcement on Monday as to what we are going to be doing with Saudi Arabia generally."
Biden did not provide details. But a White House official suggested no new significant steps were expected.
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Update #1: Khashoggi: statement clarifying US stance on Saudi Arabia due on Monday (The Guardian).
Update #2: Biden signals ‘significant changes’ in US-Saudi ties (Times of Israel)
Update #3: Biden teases announcement on Saudi Arabia after Khashoggi report (NYPost)
WNU editor: President Biden on Saturday said that an announcement will be made on Monday on " what we are going to be doing with Saudi Arabia generally" (see video above). And now his aides are now suggesting no new significant steps are expected?!?!?!?
In the meantime pressure is building on the White House to punish the effective ruler of Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Salman .... Senators hope for more Saudi sanctions in wake of Khashoggi report (Politico). More here .... Ex-CIA director urges Biden to hold MBS ‘accountable’ in Khashoggi’s death (NYPost).
In another sign of a growing split between the White House and its Arab allies in the Middle East, a number of Arab states are expressing their support of Saudi Arabia .... Gulf states express support for Saudi Arabia over US Khashoggi report (Gulf News).
