Saudis Defy 'Threats' Over Missing Journalist

Saudi Arabia rejects political and economic "threats" over missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a source quoted by state news agency SPA says.

The country would respond to any punitive action "with a bigger one", the unnamed senior source said.

Mr Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi government, vanished on 2 October after visiting its consulate in Istanbul.

US President Donald Trump said he would "punish" Saudi Arabia if it were found responsible for killing him.

On Sunday a joint statement by the foreign ministers of the UK, France and Germany called for a credible investigation to ensure those responsible for Mr Khashoggi's disappearance were held to account.

"We encourage joint Saudi-Turkish efforts in that regard, and expect the Saudi Government to provide a complete and detailed response," said Jeremy Hunt, Jean-Yves Le Drian and Heiko Maas.

Later Mr Hunt said that whatever happened now was "absolutely up to Saudi Arabia".

"If, as they say, this terrible murder didn't happen, then where is Jamal Khashoggi? That's what the world wants to know."

Britain and the US are considering boycotting a major international conference in Saudi Arabia this month.

The authorities in Istanbul believe Mr Khashoggi was murdered in the consulate by Saudi agents - claims Riyadh has dismissed as "lies".

The source quoted by SPA said: "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.

"The kingdom also affirms that it will respond to any action with a bigger one. The Saudi economy has vital and influential roles for the global economy."

But on Sunday evening King Salman appeared more conciliatory, thanking Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for setting up a joint team to investigate the disappearance.

No-one could undermine the strong relationship Saudi Arabia had with Turkey, he said.

The Saudis have come under considerable international pressure over the disappearance.

Diplomatic sources told the BBC's James Landale that both US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and UK International Trade Secretary Liam Fox might not attend next month's investment conference in Riyadh, which has been dubbed "Davos in the Desert".

However, later White House aide Larry Kudlow told ABC News that as things stood Mr Mnuchin was intending to go to Riyadh and would take a final decision "as new information surfaces".

The event is being hosted by the kingdom's Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman to promote his reform agenda. Several sponsors and media groups have decided to pull out.

A joint statement of condemnation, if it is confirmed that Mr Khashoggi was killed by Saudi agents, is also being discussed by US and European diplomats.

The president has said the US will inflict "severe punishment" if Saudi Arabia is found to be responsible for the death of Mr Khashoggi.

He said he would be "very upset and angry if that were the case", but ruled out halting big military contracts.

"I think we'd be punishing ourselves if we did that," he said. "If they don't buy it from us, they're going to buy it from Russia or... China.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevut Cavusoglu said Saudi Arabia had not so far co-operated with the investigation - despite a statement from Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz saying his nation wanted to uncover "the whole truth".

Mr Cavusoglu has urged the kingdom to allow Turkish officials to enter the consulate.

On Sunday, stocks on the Tadawul All-Shares Index plummeted 7% in early trading, wiping out all the gains made this year, before recovering slightly around noon.

In two sessions it lost $50bn (£38bn) of its $450bn capitalisation, AFP news agency reported.

Salah Shamma, of Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity, told Reuters: "The market is reacting negatively to sentiment around the Khashoggi case."

A Turkish security source has told the BBC that officials had audio and video evidence proving Mr Khashoggi, who wrote for the Washington Post, was murdered inside the consulate.

Reports suggest an assault and struggle took place in the consulate after Mr Khashoggi entered the building to get paperwork for a marriage.

Turkish sources allege he was killed by a 15-strong team of Saudi agents.

Turkish TV has broadcast CCTV footage of the moment Mr Khashoggi walked into the consulate.

FROM  .bbc.com/news/world-middle-east