WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said he agreed that Saturday’s explanation and investigation into what had happened to Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was credible.

At the same time, he stressed that it was too early to talk about any conclusions. “It’s early, we haven’t finished our review or investigation but it’s a very important first step and it happened sooner that people thought it would happen,” he said.

“I think it’s a good first step, it’s a big step,” Trump said in Arizona. “Saudi Arabia has been a great ally. What happened is unacceptable.”

Trump praised the speed with which the results of the preliminary investigation were issued and said he would speak to the Crown Prince soon.

He reiterated strong ties with Saudi Arabia, recalling that it was a strong and important ally of the United States in the Middle East.

The White House said it would continue to press for “justice that is timely, transparent, and in accordance with all due process”.

The Saudi prosecutor said on Friday that the investigation showed the death of Saudi national Jamal Khashoggi was a result of a physical fight at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

The prosecutor’s investigation also pointed out that the discussions that took place between Khashoggi and those who met him while he was in the consulate in Istanbul led to a fistfight that led to his death.

In addition, the Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that its investigations into this case are continuing with 18 suspects identified and detained, all of whom are Saudi nationals. — Agencies