Jamal Khashoggi murder investigation: Saudi Arabia allies watch with growing concern
Despite being accused of involvement in the killing, Mohammed bin Salman presents himself as one of those who seek justice.
Wednesday 24 October 2018 19:52, UK
Saudi Arabia's crown prince struck the tone of outraged leader rather than alleged suspect in his first public speech since the murder of a Saudi journalist in Istanbul three weeks ago.
Mohammed bin Salman pointedly declared his country and Turkey would only stay united with him, his father and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in power, as he accused forces of trying to use Jamal Khashoggi's death to drive a wedge between them.
The kingdom's de facto ruler vowed that those responsible for what he described as a "heinous crime" would be held to account, adding "justice will prevail".
It was the kind of language you would expect to hear from a leading figure of a country that has just had a citizen killed in one of its consulates.
The problem is that Turkish officials and commentators have signalled such a crime - allegedly carried out by a hit-squad of 15 men - could only have taken place with the knowledge of a senior member of the Saudi royal family such as Prince Mohammed.
The crown prince was addressing a friendly crowd as he made his remarks at an investment conference in Riyadh that has been widely boycotted by British, US and other western political leaders and business chiefs in protest at Mr Khashoggi's killing on 2 October.
His comments drew bursts of applause, perhaps offering him hope that his position as rising star of the world's biggest oil producer remains guaranteed.
However beyond his shores, long-standing allies of Saudi Arabia are watching with growing concern as Turkish investigators probing what happened to Mr Khashoggi inside the consulate gather evidence that points to a pre-meditated assassination.
Significantly, President Trump yesterday broke with what had until that point been unequivocal support for Prince Mohammed, raising the possibility he could be implicated.
This came after Gina Haspel, the head of the CIA, paid a flying visit to Istanbul where she was given access to the findings so far of the Turkish investigation.
Saudi Arabia claims Mr Khashoggi was killed in a "rogue operation" following a fist fight have been widely met with scepticism. The US, Britain and others have described the explanation as not credible and demanded answers backed up by facts.
Should evidence emerge linking the crown prince to the crime, Washington, London and other western capitals will face the prospect of needing to punish their key ally in the Gulf.
The stakes could not be higher given the role Saudi Arabia plays in supporting US foreign policy against Iran as well as US and UK policy towards the conflict in Syria and the wider fight against Islamist terrorism.
And then there is the country's importance as an oil producer as well as - for the UK in particular - a significant market for arms.
The crown prince will be hoping that the fallout from the Khashoggi probe can be contained and he will continue on his succession path untainted.
It remains to be seen whether this is wishful thinking.