Saudis balk at U.S. Senate's "disrespect" over Khashoggi killing
/ AP
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia issued an unusually strong rebuke of the U.S. Senate on Monday, rejecting a bipartisan resolution that put the blame for the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi squarely on the Saudi crown prince and describing it as interference in the kingdom's affairs.
It's the latest sign of how the relationship between the royal court and Congress has deteriorated, more than two months after Khashoggi was killed and dismembered by Saudi agents inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. The assassins have been linked to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
U.S. Senators last Thursday passed the measure that blamed the prince for Khashoggi's killing and called on Riyadh to "ensure appropriate accountability." Senators also passed a separate measure calling for the end of U.S. aid to the Saudi-led war in Yemen.
In a lengthy statement early Monday, Saudi Arabia said the Senate's resolution "contained blatant interferences" in the kingdom's internal affairs and undermines its regional and international role. The resolution was based on "unsubstantiated claims and allegations," the statement said.
"The kingdom categorically rejects any interference in its internal affairs, any and all accusations, in any manner, that disrespect its leadership … and any attempts to undermine its sovereignty or diminish its stature," it said.
Such language is usually reserved for those who criticize the kingdom's human rights record, such as Sweden in 2015 after the public flogging of a blogger, and Canada this year over the arrests of women's rights activists.
But the statement was also tempered in saying the kingdom "reaffirms" its commitment to relations with the United States and describing the Senate as "an esteemed legislative body of an allied and friendly government."
President Donald Trump has been reluctant to condemn the crown prince, despite U.S. intelligence officials concluding that Prince Mohammed must have at least had knowledge of the plot. Mr. Trump instead has touted Saudi arms deals worth billions of dollars and has thanked the Saudis for lower oil prices.
Saudi Arabia denies Prince Mohammed was involved in the Oct. 2 killing of Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist who wrote critically of the crown prince. Under intense international pressure, the kingdom recently acknowledged that the plot was masterminded by top Saudi agents close to Prince Mohammed.
After shifting accounts about what happened to Khashoggi, Saudi Arabia said its investigations concluded that the crown prince's aides had plotted to bring Khashoggi by force back to Saudi Arabia and that the agents on the ground exceeded their authority and killed him.
The Saudi statement said the Senate's position will not affect the kingdom's "leading role in the region," its role in supporting the stability of international energy markets, its counterterrorism cooperation and its stand with the U.S. in confronting Iran.
It "sends the wrong messages to all those who want to cause a rift in Saudi-U.S. relationship," the statement added.
First published on December 17, 2018
© 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
World hits another carbon emissions milestone in 2018
Just two years ago, there was cause for cautious optimism
Dec 6 
More families have crossed illegally to San Diego since caravan arrived, CBP says
Frustrated with a long wait to apply for asylum, some migrants are trying to cross clandestinely
Dec 5 
Saudis balk at U.S. Senate's "disrespect" over Khashoggi killing
Kingdom calls bipartisan resolution pinning blame for murder on crown prince an "interference," but reaffirms strong ties with Trump's backing
7M ago 
Young migrant's death underscores communication barriers at border
It's unclear how much Jakelin Caal's father understood about a form that was read to him in Spanish before his 7-year-old daughter died in U.S. custody
6H ago 
Miss Universe 2018: Catriona Gray of the Philippines wins crown
The 24-year-old Gray edged out first runner-up Tamaryn Green of South Africa and third-place Sthefany Gutierrez of Venezuela
6H ago 
French city mourns as 5th victim dies after Christmas market attack
More than 1,000 people reportedly attended the memorial Sunday, days after fatal shooting in Strasbourg
5H ago 
Nativity sand sculpture debuts at the Vatican
An American artist is leaving his handprints on the sands of time at the Vatican. Seth Doane reports.
6H ago 02:26 
"Mary Poppins Returns" to hit theaters
"Mary Poppins Returns" flies into theaters this week. The popular character of a magical nanny is said to be based on a real-life nanny who graduated from a legendary school for professional nannies in Bath, England. Teri Okita reports.
6H ago 01:58 
42 people injured in Japan restaurant explosion
Dozens were hurt Sunday night in Sapporo's Toyohira district, one person was in serious condition; cause of blast is under investigation
3H ago 
Green Beret charged with murder
Maj. Matthew Golsteyn, a former U.S. Army commando has been charged with murder for allegedly hunting down and killing a man in Afghanistan. He was also suspected of killing two U.S. Marines in a case that goes back to 2010. Tony Dokoupil reports.
6H ago 02:09 
Pro-government forces unleash airstrikes in Yemen ahead of ceasefire
Despite a ceasefire to begin Tuesday, there was more fighting Sunday in and around the port city of Hodeida in Yemen. Pro-government forces backed by Saudi Arabia unleashed airstrikes on Houthi rebels backed by Iran. Elizabeth Palmer reports.
5H ago 02:04 
Saudis balk at U.S. Senate's "disrespect" over Khashoggi killing
Kingdom calls bipartisan resolution pinning blame for murder on crown prince an "interference," but reaffirms strong ties with Trump's backing
7M ago 
Merriam-Webster picks "justice" as its 2018 word of the year
Famed dictionary maker says "justice" was huge search topic on its website and vital in many major news topics, such as obstruction of justice
2H ago 
Vaping booming in U.S. high schools, survey finds
Doubled use of e-cigarettes this year was biggest one-year rise in survey's 44-year history, far beyond a mid-1970s surge in pot smoking
3H ago
Young migrant's death underscores communication barriers at border
It's unclear how much Jakelin Caal's father understood about a form that was read to him in Spanish before his 7-year-old daughter died in U.S. custody
6H ago
Miss Universe 2018: Catriona Gray of the Philippines wins crown
The 24-year-old Gray edged out first runner-up Tamaryn Green of South Africa and third-place Sthefany Gutierrez of Venezuela
6H ago 
The lawsuits that could bankrupt the opioid industry
The attorney behind a multibillion-dollar tobacco settlement in 1998 has turned his attention to the opioid epidemic. And he wants drug companies to pay
5H ago 
Cleaning up the plastic in the ocean
Discarded plastic is piling up around the world and pooling in the ocean. Sharyn Alfonsi reports on the problem's deadly consequences for wildlife and what can be done to stop it
9H ago 
Tesla CEO Elon Musk: The "60 Minutes" interview
Musk opens up to Lesley Stahl about Twitter, pot, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Model 3 and Tesla
Dec 9 
Study examines effects of screen time on kids
"60 Minutes" goes inside a landmark government study of young minds to see if phones, tablets and other screens are impacting adolescent brain development
Dec 10 
Ryan Speedo Green: From juvenile delinquency to opera stardom
After a childhood of anger and violence, the 32-year-old now commands the stage around the world
Dec 9 
Remembering President George H.W. Bush
Former presidents and others look back on the life of President George H.W. Bush, who passed away Friday
Dec 2 
Paradise Lost: Inside California's Camp Fire
"60 Minutes" reveals what firefighters saw as the deadliest wildfire in California history destroyed the town of Paradise
Dec 2 
The chaos behind family separation at the border
A "60 Minutes" investigation has found the separations that dominated headlines this summer began earlier and were greater in number than the Trump administration admits
Nov 26 
Right Rail – Video Promo – Listing
Funding deadline moves White House toward government shutdown
The White House and Congress have until the end of Friday, the winter solstice, to agree on a spending bill. If not, the government will essentially run out of money, and roughly a quarter of it will shut down ahead of Christmas. Errol Barnett reports.
5H ago 02:48 
What could DEA opioid data reveal?
Plaintiff's attorneys claim they've received "devastating" evidence showing drug distributors knowingly filled suspicious opioid orders.
11H ago 01:25 
Autopsy scheduled for 7-year-old migrant girl
An autopsy has been slated to determine the cause of death of a young migrant girl who was in Border Patrol custody. It could be weeks before the public learns of the results. Mireya Villareal reports.
10H ago 02:10 
Evacuation orders lifted after wildfires tear through Paradise, California
Evacuation orders have been lifted this weekend in the town devastated by deadly wildfires more than five weeks ago. Residents were allowed to return homes to see what was left. Elaine Quijano reports.
5H ago 03:13
Pro-government forces unleash airstrikes in Yemen ahead of ceasefire
Despite a ceasefire to begin Tuesday, there was more fighting Sunday in and around the port city of Hodeida in Yemen. Pro-government forces backed by Saudi Arabia unleashed airstrikes on Houthi rebels backed by Iran. Elizabeth Palmer reports.
5H ago 02:04 
Miss Universe 2018: Catriona Gray of the Philippines wins crown
The 24-year-old Gray edged out first runner-up Tamaryn Green of South Africa and third-place Sthefany Gutierrez of Venezuela
6H ago 
Ex-officers charged after video showed them slamming teen
Both officers resigned in November after video from Brusly Middle School showed the officers slamming the student
10H ago 
Mother in viral video where NYPD take toddler speaks out
"I was so afraid. I was combative with my thoughts … I just remember being talked to very viciously," Jazmine Headley said Sunday
7H ago
42 people injured in Japan restaurant explosion
Dozens were hurt Sunday night in Sapporo's Toyohira district, one person was in serious condition; cause of blast is under investigation
3H ago
Young migrant's death underscores communication barriers at border
It's unclear how much Jakelin Caal's father understood about a form that was read to him in Spanish before his 7-year-old daughter died in U.S. custody
6H ago 
2018 additions to the Library of Congress' National Film Registry
"The Shining," "Jurassic Park," "My Fair Lady" and "Brokeback Mountain" are among the classic films to be preserved for future generations by the Library of Congress
27 photos 
The timeless photojournalism of Chris Hondros and Tim Hetherington
"War and Peace in Liberia" is a new exhibition in New York City celebrating the work of two acclaimed war photographers, who were both killed in conflict zones
15 photos 
Yemen's humanitarian crisis
The nation's civil war has claimed at least 10,000 lives, and generated the world's worst humanitarian crisis
15 photos 
Notable deaths in 2018
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity
136 photos 
Biggest stories of 2018, ranked
This year was a doozy. These were the top stories on CBSNews.com
55 photos
Saudis balk at U.S. Senate's "disrespect" over Khashoggi killing
Kingdom calls bipartisan resolution pinning blame for murder on crown prince an "interference," but reaffirms strong ties with Trump's backing
7M ago
Merriam-Webster picks "justice" as its 2018 word of the year
Famed dictionary maker says "justice" was huge search topic on its website and vital in many major news topics, such as obstruction of justice
2H ago
Vaping booming in U.S. high schools, survey finds
Doubled use of e-cigarettes this year was biggest one-year rise in survey's 44-year history, far beyond a mid-1970s surge in pot smoking
3H ago
Young migrant's death underscores communication barriers at border
It's unclear how much Jakelin Caal's father understood about a form that was read to him in Spanish before his 7-year-old daughter died in U.S. custody
6H ago 
Taking Aim at Opioids, Plastic Plague
The lawsuits that could bankrupt manufacturers and distributors; and, cleaning up the plastic in the ocean
6H ago 41:40
Miss Universe 2018: Catriona Gray of the Philippines wins crown
The 24-year-old Gray edged out first runner-up Tamaryn Green of South Africa and third-place Sthefany Gutierrez of Venezuela
6H ago
