US Senators Introduce Resolution Saying MbS 'Complicit' in Khashoggi Slaying

The resolution says the Senate believes the Saudi Arabia's crown prince "was in control of security forces" during the killing and "based on evidence and analysis made available to this institution, has a high level of confidence that Mohammad bin Salman was complicit in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi", The Hill reported.

The measure was introduced by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Christopher Coons (D-Del.).

The resolution is nonbinding, but if approved, would put the Senate on the record saying MbS is responsible for Khashoggi's slaying inside the Saudi Consulate in Turkish city of Istanbul in early October.

Passage of the measure would be a significant break from President Donald Trump, who used a statement late last month to cast doubt on the crown prince's involvement in the killing, saying "we may never know" the facts around Khashoggi's death.

The resolution also urges the Donald Trump administration and the international community to "hold all parties, including Mohammad bin Salman, involved in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi accountable".

"I believe it’s vitally important to US national security interests to make a definitive statement about the brutal murder of an American resident — Mr. Khashoggi — who has three American citizen children,” Graham stated in a statement Wednesday.

The Senate is bracing for a chaotic floor fight over the Saudi-led campaign in Yemen and Khashoggi's death. They voted to send a resolution to the full Senate last week that would require Trump to withdraw troops in or "affecting" Yemen within 30 days unless they are fighting al-Qaeda.

The resolution also calls on the Saudi government to negotiate with representatives of the Houthi movement and agree to a political resolution and end the country's humanitarian crisis.

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