Saudis Slam 'Blatant Interference' From Senate

Ministry says senators acted on 'baseless allegations'
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 17, 2018 2:29 AM CST
Updated Dec 17, 2018 4:44 AM CST
Saudis Slam 'Blatant Interference' From Senate
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., joined at left by Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., holds a news conference after the Senate passed a resolution he introduced that would pull assistance from the Saudi-led war in Yemen,;   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Saudi Arabia is not happy about historic votes in the US Senate to end American support for its war in Yemen and to denounce Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the killing of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In a statement, the Saudi foreign ministry slammed the Senate for "blatant interference in its internal affairs," Al Jazeera reports. The ministry said the Senate's position was "built on baseless allegations and accusations." The kingdom "has previously asserted that the murder of Saudi citizen Jamal Khashoggi is a deplorable crime that does not reflect the Kingdom’s policy nor its institutions," the statement said.

The Senate resolution calling for those involved in Khashoggi's death to be held accountable passed unanimously, while the Yemen resolution passed 56-41, with seven Republicans voting with Democrats. President Trump has said he will veto the measures and the House blocked a vote on them last week, the BBC reports. Sen. Bernie Sanders, however, who co-sponsored both measures, has predicted that they will pass after the Democrats take control of the House next month. In its statement, the Saudi foreign ministry said it "hopes that it is not drawn into domestic political debates in the United States of America." (A GOP senator says there is a "smoking saw" pointing to the crown prince's involvement in Khashoggi's murder.)

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