US to keep 'steadfast' partnership with Saudi: Trump!

• Trump said there would be no fallout anyway for Saudi-US relations.

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the US intends to remain a "steadfast partner" of Saudi Arabia even though "it could very well be" that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had knowledge of the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Trump, in a statement issued by the White House, indicated he had no intention of cancelling military contracts with Riyadh, saying, "if we foolishly cancel these contracts, Russia and China would be the enormous beneficiaries."President Trump said there would be no fallout anyway for Saudi-US relations.

"It could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event - maybe he did and maybe he didn't!" Trump said. "We may never know all of the facts surrounding the murder of Mr Jamal Khashoggi. In any case, our relationship is with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," he said. "The United States intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia."

Trump said that the US-Saudi relationship was more important than the possible involvement of Prince Mohammed.

"The United States intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure the interests of our country, Israel and all other partners in the region," President Trump said.

"I will consider whatever ideas are presented to me, but only if they are consistent with the absolute security and safety of America," he said.