Mike Pompeo reaches Riyadh, meets Saudi's King Salman

Istanbul - Pompeo landed in Riyadh on Tuesday morning and was welcomed by Saudi foreign minister Adel Al Jubeir.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met on Tuesday with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, over the disappearance of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi.

Pompeo landed in Riyadh on Tuesday morning and was welcomed by Saudi foreign minister Adel Al Jubeir on landing. He didn't make any remarks to the media.

Soon after, Pompeo arrived at the royal palace, where King Salman greeted him. America's top diplomat thanked the king "for accepting my visit on behalf of President (Donald) Trump" before going into a closed-door meeting.

Meanwhile, a Turkish forensics team finished earlier in the morning a search inside the consulate. Technicians in coveralls, gloves and covered shoes carried out the hours-long search. It wasn't immediately clear what evidence they gathered.

Trump, after speaking with King Salman, had dispatched Pompeo to speak to the King over Khashoggi's disappearance.
"Michael Pompeo met on Tuesday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh. Pompeo reiterated US President Donald Trump's concern with respect to Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance, as well as the President's desire to determine what happened. The secretary welcomed Saudi Arabia's support of the Turkish authorities' investigation. The secretary and the Crown Prince agreed on the importance of a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation that provides answers. The two also discussed regional and bilateral issues," said Heather Nauert, spokesperson, US Department of State.

• Saudi Arabia