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TURKEY-SAUDI-POLITICS-DIPLOMACY-SANCTIONS LEAD
Saudi dismisses threat of sanctions over Khashoggi
RIYADH, Oct 14, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Saudi Arabia on Sunday dismissed threats
of sanctions over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and vowed
that the oil-rich kingdom would retaliate with consequences for the world
economy.
Riyadh’s reaction came hours after US President Donald Trump threatened
Riyadh with “severe punishment” if Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi
consulate in Istanbul as alleged.
“The kingdom affirms its total rejection of any threats or attempts to
undermine it whether through threats to impose economic sanctions or the use
of political pressure,” an official source said, quoted by state news agency
SPA.
He said Riyadh would “respond to any action with a bigger one”, pointing
out that the oil superpower “plays an effective and vital role in the world
economy”.
Khashoggi, a contributor to the Washington Post, has not been seen since
he walked of the Saudi consulate on October 2.
Turkish officials have said they believe Khashoggi was killed inside the
consulate, and lurid claims have been leaked to media that he was tortured
and even dismembered.
Saudi Arabia has rejected allegations the journalist was murdered inside
its mission and insisted he had left the consulate safely.
BSS/AFP/ARS/2007 hrs