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Joe Biden tells Crown Prince: You're to blame for killing Khashoggi and don't do anything like that again

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Joe Biden tells Crown Prince: You're to blame for killing Khashoggi and don't do anything like that again

Joe Biden on Friday night said he told Saudi’s crown prince that he was personally responsible for the murder of dissident Jamal Khashoggi and threatened a much bigger response should anything similar happen again.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman fist bumps US President Joe Biden upon his arrival at Al Salman Palace, in Jeddah

Provided by The Telegraph Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman fist bumps US President Joe Biden upon his arrival at Al Salman Palace, in Jeddah

The US president said Mohammed bin Salman denied any role in the 2018 killing of the Washington Post columnist at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, but Mr Biden “indicated I thought he was” responsible.

"What happened to Khashoggi was outrageous. I just made it clear if anything occurs like that again they will get that response and much more," Mr Biden told reporters after meeting Prince Mohammed, who US intelligence officials believe ordered the assassination.

Mr Biden said: “I raised it at the top of the meeting, making clear what I thought of it at the time and what I think of it now...I made my view crystal clear. He basically said that he was not personally responsible for it. I indicated he probably was.”

The US President added that “if anything occurs like that again they will get that response and much more”.

Mr Biden, who brushed off other questions on the meeting, said the pair quickly “moved on to other matters."

Mr Biden, who fist-bumped the 36-year-old Saudi heir apparent “MBS” outside the royal palace in Jeddah, has faced widespread criticism over his visit to the country.

"Is this the accountability you promised for my murder? The blood of MBS's next victim is on your hands,” Hatice Cengiz, Mr Khashoggi’s fiancée, tweeted.

The president rejected the idea that he was ignoring the ultra-conservative kingdom's human rights abuses as he tried to reset a critical diplomatic relationship.

"I said, very straightforwardly, for an American president to be silent on an issue of human rights is inconsistent with who we are and who I am," Mr Biden said at a press briefing in Jeddah. "I'll always stand up for our values."

Asked whether he regretted describing Saudi Arabia as a “pariah” state after the murder of Mr Khashoggi, Mr Biden said: "I don't regret anything I said."

The president's visit was seen as a major win for the crown prince, who has tried to rehabilitate his image, draw investments to the kingdom for his reform plans and bolster the kingdom's security relationship with the US.

Joe Biden crosses himself as he visits the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank - ReutersProvided by The Telegraph Joe Biden crosses himself as he visits the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank - Reuters

Mr Biden seemed to approach it as a necessary if somewhat distasteful step to improve relations with the world's top oil exporter at a time of rising gas prices and concern about Iran's nuclear ambitions.

When asked when Americans could see gas prices affected by this visit, Mr Biden said, "I suspect you will see that in the next couple weeks." 

Earlier in the day the US president risked infuriating Unionists and Brexiteers as he compared Israel’s treatment of Palestinians to Britain’s violent past in Ireland.

Mr Biden’s remarks on Ireland were delivered while speaking at a Palestinian hospital in East Jerusalem.

He said: “My background, and the background of my family, is Irish American, and we have a long history of...not fundamentally unlike the Palestinian people, with Great Britain and their attitude toward Irish-Catholics over the years, for 400 years.” 

Mr Biden has long been a robust critic of the UK Government’s plan to rip up parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol, which prevents an inflammatory hard Irish border.

His Democrat allies have also warned that the US will never agree to a free trade deal with the UK if it reneges on the treaty that created the Irish Sea border, and puts the Good Friday Agreement at risk.

Gregory Campbell, DUP MP, said: “It’s up to President Biden to decide whether sweeping and inaccurate generalisations are helpful. However, it certainly highlights a tone-deaf approach to Northern Ireland."

Responding to the criticism, a White House spokesperson said: "If you read what he said you’ll see he was obviously talking about history."

There was no indication the comments represented any change in US policy on Northern Ireland.

Joe Biden with Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem - Reuters

A Palestinian woman gestures at an Israeli policeman at a protest in East Jerusalem during the visit of US President Joe Biden - AvalonProvided by The Telegraph A Palestinian woman gestures at an Israeli policeman at a protest in East Jerusalem during the visit of US President Joe Biden - Avalon

Mr Biden met with Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, in Bethlehem and reiterated his support for a two-state solution.

He then headed to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for the most controversial element of his trip.

The US president had repeatedly refused to say if he would confront the crown prince over the murder of Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in December 2018.

US intelligence believes the attack was probably ordered by the crown prince.

Mr Biden received a subdued welcome at the airport in Jeddah, with much less ceremony than the Saudis offered for his predecessor Donald Trump.

He was then greeted at the Al Salam Royal Palace by the crown prince.

Getting out of his limousine Mr Biden raised his hand in a clenched fist, and the crown prince responded in kind, bumping fists before leading the US president quickly inside.

Mr Biden then shook hands with 86-year-old King Salman.

He held a “working session” with the crown prince to discuss issues including energy production.

They sat facing each other across from a large rectangular table, each man with aides alongside.

Joe Biden and his team (left) participate in a working session with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman team at the Al Salman Royal Palace - AP
Provided by The Telegraph Joe Biden and his team (left) participate in a working session with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman team at the Al Salman Royal Palace - AP

Mr Biden did not answer a shouted question about whether he still considered Saudi Arabia a “pariah”.

The crown prince appeared to smile in response to a shouted question about whether he would apologise to Khashoggi’s family.

Criticising the US president’s visit Hatice Cengiz, Khashoggi’s fiancee, said: “It’s heartbreaking and disappointing. And Biden will lose his moral authority by putting oil and expediency over principles and values.”

Mr Biden wants Saudi Arabia to pump more oil as he tries to drive down prices in the United States in the wake of the Ukraine war.

He also wants to put pressure on Iran, and to counter Russian and Chinese influence in the region.

Jake Sullivan, Mr Biden’s national security adviser, said the US was not expecting Saudi Arabia to immediately boost oil production, and that would need to wait for the next OPEC+ meeting on Aug 3.

Saudi Arabia announced a step toward normalisation of relations with Israel, opening its airspace to “all air carriers,” and ending strict limits on Israeli flights over its territory.

Mr Biden said that was “an important step towards building a more integrated and stable Middle East region”. 

Reference: The Telegraph: Josie Ensor, James Crisp, Nick Allen

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