Saddened to hear confirmation of Jamal Khashoggi's death: White House

The White House released an official statement on Saturday stating that it is "saddened" to hear about Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's demise.

"We are saddened to hear confirmation of Mr Khashoggi's death, and we offer our deepest condolences to his family, fiancee, and friends," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted.

The Press Secretary further acknowledged Saudi Arabia's announcement about the progression of its investigation into the missing scribe's case and the action that Riyadh has taken against the suspects involved.

Sanders also urged for fair and transparent investigations into the Washington Post columnist's case, and said, "We will continue to closely follow the international investigations into this tragic incident and advocate for justice that is timely, transparent, and in accordance with all due process."

Meanwhile, the Spokesman for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Stephane Dujarric, released a statement extending the UN Chief, Antonio Guterres', condolences to Khashoggi's family and friends. "The Secretary-General is deeply troubled by the confirmation of the death of Jamal Khashoggi. He extends his condolences to Mr Khashoggi's family and friends," the statement read.

Guterres, stressing for the need for a thorough investigation into the scribe's death, stated through the release "The Secretary-General stresses the need for a prompt, thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Mr Khashoggi's death and full accountability for those responsible."

Saudi Arabia's Attorney General confirmed that preliminary investigations pointed towards the death of Jamal Khashoggi, who went missing on October 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. The prosecutor added that his death was caused by a physical altercation which ensued in the consulate.

Furthermore, the Attorney General mentioned in a statement that investigations continue with 18 detained Saudi nationals who are suspected to be involved in Khashoggi's case.

The statement also said that al-Qahtani, the royal court advisor and Ahmed Asiri, the deputy intelligence chief have been fired, according to Al Arabiya.

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz has ordered the restructuring of the general intelligence agency through the constitution of a ministerial committee which is headed by the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi Arabia's Interior Minister, Foreign Minister, the head of the Intelligence Agency and the Chief of Homeland Security constitute the ministerial committee which has the Saudi crown prince as the head. The King has ordered the committee to report to him within a month regarding the restructuring.

Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist who wrote for The Washington Post, disappeared on October 2 after cameras captured him walking into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

-ANI