Trump tells Saudi crown prince he's doing 'a spectacular job'

Despite international condemnation over Khashoggi killing, US president hails Mohammed bin Salman as a ‘friend of mine’ at G20 summit

OSAKA, Japan — US President Donald Trump on Saturday praised Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, saying he was doing a “spectacular job” as the pair met on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

“You have done a spectacular job,” Trump told the powerful crown prince, referring to him as “a friend of mine.”

The young royal has faced international condemnation after US-based dissident Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul last year.

But Trump ignored questions from the media about whether he would raise the journalist’s murder during his working breakfast with the prince.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman smiles as he listens during his meeting with US President Donald Trump during a working breakfast on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Riyadh has hit back against claims that Prince Mohammed bears responsibility in the murder of Khashoggi, who was killed and dismembered in what Saudi authorities have described as a rogue operation.

A UN expert report has said that the “execution of Mr. Khashoggi was the responsibility of the state of Saudi Arabia,” and that Mohammed must have been aware of attempts to cover up the crime after the fact, including a forensic cleaning of the consulate.

The report urged a formal criminal investigation into the case.

But Saudi prosecutors say all those to blame are already on trial, citing proceedings against 11 unnamed individuals in the kingdom.

Five of those face the death penalty in the trial, which has been held secretly, with only a handful of diplomats allowed to attend.