Analyst: Erdogan has 'cast doubt on the Saudi narrative'

Marc Owen Jones, a research fellow at Exeter University, said that while Erdogan said nothing surprising in his speech this morning, he confirmed reports that Khashoggi was “killed in a brutal way that was a planned operation".

“This was probably the most important takeaway from Erdogan’s speech, as it casts doubt on the official Saudi narrative,” the Gulf specialist told MEE.

Commenting on the exclusion of MbS in the speech, Jones added: "Erdogan could either be trying to signal that he is willing to have a dialogue with KSA and maintain relations, but only with partners that are not like MBS.

"Or it could be Erdogan being wary of mentioning MBS over fears that he is still powerful, and doesn't want to cause any further controversy by bringing up his alleged role in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi."