Saudi Arabia refutes allegations on Khashoggi's disappearance

Saudi Arabia's Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif on Saturday vehemently refuted allegations against the state regarding the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

"The Minister of Interior affirmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's condemnation and denunciation of the false accusations circulated in some media on the Saudi government and people against the background of the disappearance of the Saudi citizen Jamal Khashoggi," read an official statement.

The release further said the "baseless allegations" leveled against Saudi Arabia were "lies" and further mentioned that the state is "committed to its principles, rules and traditions and is in compliance with international laws and conventions".

The minister also welcomed Turkey's positive reaction regarding the formation of a Joint Investigative Commission to look into the scribe's disappearance.

Khashoggi has been missing ever since cameras captured him going inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Hatice Cengiz, his fiancee, who was waiting outside the consul, stated that she did not see him re-emerging from the building.

Stressing on the role of the media, the release also stated that the media should refrain from affecting the "paths of investigation and judicial proceedings".

The Interior Minister concluded by saying that the kingdom was keen on clarifying the "whole truth" about Khashoggi's disappearance and kept its citizen's interests at heart.

There has been mounting international pressure against Saudi Arabia due to Khashoggi's disappearance, with US President Donald Trump supporting investigations into the matter.

Trump told the press in Ohio on Saturday that he will call Saudi Arabia's King Salman "at some point" to discuss the disappearing incident.

Speaking ahead of a campaign rally, Trump said, "We're going to find out what happened with respect to the terrible situation in Turkey having to do with Saudi Arabia and the reporter," according to Anadolu Agency.