Return of Saudi Envoy to US Is 'Stunningly Arrogant'

In an editorial, the newspaper noted that in the days following Khashoggi's disappearance inside the Saudi consulate in Turkish city of Istanbul, Saudi Ambassador Khalid bin Salman launched "an epic campaign of lies" – as the newspaper put it – and told anyone who would listen to him, from senators to the Washington Post publisher, that reports that Khashoggi had been detained or killed inside the consulate was "absolutely false, and baseless".

The ambassador left Washington D.C. a couple of weeks later as the truth about Khashoggi's murder was revealed.

"Anyone who does not object to the murder of a journalist, the use of a diplomatic facility for such a crime or the wanton lying to cover it up will welcome him back to Washington," the newspaper said, adding that "he should be shunned by everyone else".

Khalid is thought to have had a role in Khashoggi's death in early October. Khalid reportedly assured Khashoggi that he would be safe if he went to the Saudi Consulate in Turkish city of Istanbul to pick up paperwork for his marriage to his Turkish fiancée. Khashoggi was killed by Saudi agents inside the consulate after arriving there on October 2.

His arrival in the US comes one day after American senators received a classified briefing from CIA Director Gina Haspel about Khashoggi's slaying. Senators emerged from the meeting saying they were certain that the crown prince ordered the killing, something the crown prince has denied.

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