Mnuchin joins Western officials' boycott of Saudi conference amid
- 6 years ago
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is boycotting an investment conference in Saudi Arabia amid allegations the Kingdom was behind the killing of a Saudi journalist.
For more on this and other news around the world we turn to our Ro Aram…
Aram… the pressure continues to pile on Riyadh…
That's right Mark… Mnuchin is the latest Western official to pull out of next week's Future Investment Initiative summit.
Earlier Thursday senior government ministers from France, Britain and the Netherlands also withdrew.
The officials are also joined by a host of business leaders, as well as IMF chief Christine Lagarde, who have announced they are boycotting the high-profile event.
Mnuchin's decision came after his meeting with President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
His withdrawal is a possible indication that Washington may be starting to think that Saudi Arabia was behind the suspected killing of Jamal Khashoggi - as claimed by Turkey.
However, Riyadh has denied any involvement in the journalist's disappearance.
Pompeo has briefed President Trump on his visit to Riyadh earlier this week to discuss the case.
He told the president the Saudis would investigate the matter, advising the president to give them a few more days before deciding whether to take action.
For more on this and other news around the world we turn to our Ro Aram…
Aram… the pressure continues to pile on Riyadh…
That's right Mark… Mnuchin is the latest Western official to pull out of next week's Future Investment Initiative summit.
Earlier Thursday senior government ministers from France, Britain and the Netherlands also withdrew.
The officials are also joined by a host of business leaders, as well as IMF chief Christine Lagarde, who have announced they are boycotting the high-profile event.
Mnuchin's decision came after his meeting with President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
His withdrawal is a possible indication that Washington may be starting to think that Saudi Arabia was behind the suspected killing of Jamal Khashoggi - as claimed by Turkey.
However, Riyadh has denied any involvement in the journalist's disappearance.
Pompeo has briefed President Trump on his visit to Riyadh earlier this week to discuss the case.
He told the president the Saudis would investigate the matter, advising the president to give them a few more days before deciding whether to take action.