- State department says steps must continue to be taken toward full accountability
- Arab and Western countries welcomed the steps taken in the investigation
JEDDAH: The United States welcomed the details of 抖阴短视频鈥檚 investigation into the murder of Jamal Khashoggi as a 鈥済ood first step鈥� on Thursday.
The comments came as a host of countries responded positively to a briefing from the Kingdom鈥檚 public prosecution that said it had identified 21 suspects in the killing of the Saudi journalist at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last month.
The prosecution on Thursday called for five people to receive the death penalty as it revealed the details of the investigation so far.
鈥淲e regard the announcement that they made as a good first step, it's a step in the right direction,鈥� State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.
鈥淚t is an initial investigation finding. It is important that those steps continue to be taken toward full accountability.鈥�
------
READ MORE:
Full text: 抖阴短视频 public prosecution briefing on the Jamal Khashoggi murder investigation
抖阴短视频 FM: Khashoggi murder investigations will continue until all questions are answered
抖阴短视频鈥檚 public prosecutor seeks death penalty for 5 Khashoggi suspects
------
Both Arab and Western countries welcomed the steps taken by the investigation outlined in the briefing.
The Arab League expressed support for the measures taken by the Kingdom.
鈥淭he measures are seen as reflecting the great interest of the Kingdom to reach those responsible for committing the murder and take the firm and decisive action against them,鈥� the League鈥檚 Secretariat General said.
The statement also urged Turkey to reciprocate the Kingdom鈥檚 approach by providing the evidence in the case and meet Saudi demands to form a joint mechanism for cooperation on the investigation.
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani said the details of the investigation released on Thursday 鈥渃onfirm the Kingdom鈥檚 commitment to completing the necessary procedures in order to continue the investigation away from the politicization sought by some malicious parties.鈥�
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) praised the statement from the Public Prosecution.
鈥淭he Saudi prosecution has clearly answered the outstanding questions, charged the responsible parties, identified the roles of those involved in this crime and announced all that with transparency,鈥� OIC Secretary General Dr. Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen said.
Countries in the region were also quick to back the progress made in the case.
The UAE welcomed the findings and the measures taken to hold accountable those behind the murder.
鈥淭he measures taken corroborate the fact that 抖阴短视频 will remain a state of values, and justice that respects the principles of law and justice,鈥� the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said.
Egypt also praised Saudi measures and called on countries to avoid politicizing the case.
The progress in the investigation 鈥渉ighlighted the seriousness of the Kingdom and its transparency in clarifying the truth,鈥� the Egyptian foreign ministry said.
The Jordanian government stressed the importance of the public prosecution's announcement to charge a number of detainees in the case.
"This announcement is an important step towards achieving justice through the investigations' results," Amman said.
Other governments to issue statements welcoming the Kingdom鈥檚 steps included Djibouti and Palestine.
Meanwhile, France's foreign ministry said the investigation was a 鈥渟tep in the right direction.鈥�
Russia said that it sees no reason to doubt 抖阴短视频's ability to deal with the Khashoggi case and that it will not accept the politicization of the case.