Denmark suspends weapons exports to Saudi over Khashoggi murder

Denmark announced on Thursday that it is suspending future approvals of weapons and military equipment exports to Saudi Arabia, a response to the killing of a U.S.-based journalist and the government's role in the conflict in Yemen.

"The foreign ministry is suspending all sales of weapons and military equipment to Saudi Arabia," Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen said.

"I hope that the Danish decision can create additional momentum," he added.

A foreign ministry spokesman said Copenhagen was not considering other sanctions for the moment.

Denmark is the second country to do so after Germany.

Germany announced earlier this week that it has stopped exporting weapons to Saudi Arabia. The country also banned 18 Saudi nationals from entering Europe's Schengen Area.

France has said that it will decide soon on sanctions for the kingdom.

But President Trump has said the U.S. will maintain a "steadfast" alliance with Saudi Arabia, and has also cast doubt that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was responsible for the journalist's killing.

In October, Berlin called for EU countries to follow its lead and suspend arms sales to Saudi Arabia for the time being, prompting a dismissive response from French President Emmanuel Macron.

Khashoggi, a US resident who wrote for The Washington Post and had been critical of Prince Mohammed, was lured to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, killed and reportedly dismembered.

After lengthy denials, Saudi authorities admitted responsibility and said 21 people had been taken into custody. However, a CIA analysis leaked to the US media went further, reportedly pointing the finger at the crown prince.

The Saudi government has said Khashoggi was killed by a team that met him when he arrived. The kingdom has denied the crown prince had any knowledge about the operation.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on Wednesday said criticism of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is a "red line", and that calls for him to be held accountable for the grisly killing would not be tolerated.