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While US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was meeting with Saudi Arabia's leaders on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dropped a bombshell of a new twist in the investigation into the mysterious disappearance of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

According to Erdogan, Turkish investigators who searched the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul found surfaces there newly painted over.

Previous news reports have cited anonymous Turkish officials suggesting that a hit team of 15 Saudis killed and dismembered Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi government, inside the consulate.

"My hope is that we can reach conclusions that will give us a reasonable opinion as soon as possible, because the investigation is looking into many things such as toxic materials and those materials being removed by painting them over," Erdogan told reporters, according to the Turkish pro-Erdogan website Yeni Safak.

Turkish investigators acknowledged that searching the consulate 13 days after Khashoggi vanished wasn't ideal. As part of the search, they used a dog and took soil samples as well as a metal door from the garden, according to Reuters.

Hours before the investigators entered the consulate, multiple news outlets reported of, and cameras filmed, a cleaning crew wheeling in boxes and boxes of cleaning supplies.

Turkish officials have also been quoted saying they have audio recording Khashoggi being killed.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir in Riyadh. Reuters/Leah Millis/Pool

The New York Times on Monday reported that Saudi Arabia had begun preparing an alibi that would acknowledge Khashoggi had been killed. Publicly, Saudi Arabia so far has issued only denials in response to reports of Turkish claims that Khashoggi was murdered.

The Times cited sources as saying the Saudis were planning to say Khashoggi had been killed in an "interrogation gone wrong," done without the monarchy's knowledge.

After a phone call with Saudi King Salman on Monday, President Donald Trump suggested that "rogue killers" might be responsible for the disappearance, rather than the Saudi royalty.

Appearing to find the explanation a little too convenient, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, who has access to US intelligence reports, tweeted he had already heard the Saudis would try to deny fault by blaming "rogue killers."

He accused Trump of having been enlisted as Saudi Arabia's "PR agent" to float the denial.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at an official welcoming ceremony in London on March 9. Bandar Algaloud / Saudi Kingdom Council / Handout/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

In an interview that aired Sunday night, Trump threatened "severe punishment" if it turned out the Saudis did kill Khashoggi, who had been living in the US in self-imposed exile.

But he has also repeatedly backed off the idea of halting arms sales to Saudi Arabia and emphasized that Khashoggi is not a US citizen.

Still, Saudi Arabia responded harshly, saying it would retaliate and escalate the situation if it suffered any consequences from the Khashoggi case.

Harsh responses to any gentle criticism or genuine questions have become a hallmark of Saudi foreign policy under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto Saudi leader who is set to inherit the throne from his father, King Salman.

Saudi Arabia has found itself becoming isolated since Khashoggi vanished on its property in Istanbul, with business executives and companies increasingly distancing themselves from the kingdom.

"This is going to alter the relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia for the foreseeable future," Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida said on CNN, joining a growing chorus of senators who now want to investigate and who seem willing to sanction the kingdom over the boiling controversy.

On Tuesday, Pompeo landed in Riyadh to meet with King Salman to discuss Khashoggi's disappearance.

CNN reporters covering the meeting say it lasted no longer than 15 minutes.

While Trump and the Saudis appear on the same page about "rogue killers," Erdogan reminded observers on Tuesday that Turkey remained in control of the facts of the case as its investigators continued to uncover potentially damning information.

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Khashoggi case: Turkey's Erdogan says Saudi Consulate freshly ...

ANKARA (Reuters) - Some materials at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul where journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared two weeks ago have been painted over, Turkeys President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses members of parliament from his ruling AK Party (AKP) during a meeting at the Turkish parliament in Ankara, Turkey, October 16, 2018. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Speaking after Turkish police entered the consulate for the first time and searched the premises for nine hours, Erdogan also told reporters that they were looking into toxic materials at the mission.

Turkish officials have told Reuters that authorities have an audio recording indicating that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate, and have shared evidence with countries including Saudi Arabia and the United States. Saudi Arabia has denied any role in Khashoggis disappearance.

My hope is that we can reach conclusions that will give us a reasonable opinion as soon as possible, because the investigation is looking into many things such as toxic materials and those materials being removed by painting them over, Erdogan told reporters in Ankara.

A Turkish diplomatic source said the investigators planned to widen their search on Tuesday to the residence of the Saudi consul. Turkish television channels have previously shown footage of a large vehicle leaving the consulate two hours after Khashoggi vanished and parking at the consuls residence.

Reporting by Gulsen Solaker and Ece Toksabay; Writing by Dominic Evans; Editing by David Dolan and Daren Butler

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ANKARA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he did not want to abandon ally Saudi Arabia over the disappearance of a Saudi journalist and has asked for audio recordings Turkish sources say indicate he was killed by Saudi agents.

Trump said he was waiting for a full report on what had happened to Jamal Khashoggi from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, whom he sent to Saudi Arabia and Turkey to meet with officials over the disappearance of the Saudi government critic. Trump and Pompeo are scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. (1400 GMT) on Thursday.

Turkish officials have said they believe Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist who was critical of the authoritarian kingdoms Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 and his body removed. The Saudis have denied the allegations.

Turkish sources have told Reuters the authorities have an audio recording indicating Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate. He has not been seen since entering the building.

Turkeys pro-government Yeni Safak newspaper on Wednesday published what it said were details from audio recordings that purported to document Khashoggis torture and interrogation.

Khashoggi was killed within minutes and his torturers severed his fingers during the interrogation, the newspaper said. His killers later beheaded and dismembered him, it said.

Turkey has not shared with the U.S. government or European allies graphic audio or video evidence, seven U.S. and European security officials told Reuters. The United States and allies have collected some intelligence through their own sources and methods, which partly confirms news reports based on leaks of audio recordings, four of the sources said.

A New York Times report cited a senior Turkish official confirming the details published by Yeni Safak. Two Turkish government officials contacted by Reuters declined to confirm the report.

Trump, who has forged closer ties with Saudi Arabia and the 33-year-old crown prince, said the United States has asked Turkey for any audio or video evidence.

Asked in a Fox Business Network interview if Washington could abandon Riyadh, Trump said: I do not want to do that.

Trump reiterated his hopes that Saudi leaders were not involved in the disappearance of Khashoggi, a U.S. resident.

I want to find out what happened, where is the fault, and we will probably know that by the end of the week, Trump later told reporters.

We have asked for it, if it exists ... Im not sure yet that it exists, probably does, possibly does, he said of the audio or video evidence.

U.S. media outlets have reported that Riyadh, despite its earlier denials of involvement, will acknowledge that Khashoggi was killed in a botched interrogation. Trump has speculated without providing evidence that rogue killers could be responsible.

How the crown prince emerges from the crisis is a test of how the West will deal with Saudi Arabia in the future.

Trump has appeared unwilling to distance himself too much from the Saudis, citing Riyadhs role in countering Iranian influence in the region - and tens of billions of dollars in potential arms deals.

Other Western nations, although expressing concern about the incident, face a similar delicate situation in their dealings with the worlds top oil exporter.

Pompeo said Riyadh should be given a few more days to complete its own probe into Khashoggis disappearance. He met Turkeys president and foreign minister, a day after Trump gave Saudi Arabia the benefit of the doubt.

Theyre going to do an investigation, and when the investigation comes out well evaluate it, Pompeo told reporters traveling with him.

A State Department spokeswoman said Pompeo had not heard any audio recording purporting to indicate Khashoggi was killed.

Pompeo also said the United States must be mindful of important business and government ties with Saudi Arabia as it considers any steps once the facts have been determined.

Turkish investigators spent nearly nine hours in the Saudi consuls residence, leaving early on Thursday, as did Saudi investigators. The search by Turkish investigators included the roof and garage and the deployment of a drone over the area.

Turkish crime scene investigators were still working at the consulate early on Thursday, using bright lights to illuminate the garden, though it was not clear what they were doing.

A pro-government Turkish daily published preliminary evidence last week from investigators who it said had identified a 15-member Saudi intelligence team that arrived in Istanbul on diplomatic passports hours before Khashoggi disappeared.

The Washington Post published a column by Khashoggi it received from his assistant a day after he was reported missing.

In the column, Khashoggi condemns the crackdown on journalists by Arab governments and the failure of the international community to respond. "As a result, Arab governments have been given free rein to continue silencing the media at an increasing rate," he wrote.(wapo.st/2AfrNpq)

A New York Times report, citing witnesses and other records, linked four suspects to Prince Mohammeds security detail.

One name matches a LinkedIn profile for a forensic expert who has worked at the interior ministry for 20 years. Another is identified in a diplomatic directory from 2007 as a first secretary at the Saudi Embassy in London. Others resemble officers in the Saudi Army and Air Force.

After meeting the king and crown prince on Tuesday, Pompeo said Saudi Arabia has committed to a full investigation.

Asked whether they said Khashoggi was alive or dead, Pompeo said: They didnt talk about any of the facts.

Prince Mohammed has painted himself as the face of a new, vibrant Saudi Arabia, diversifying its economy away from reliance on oil and making some social changes.

But there has been criticism of some of his moves, including Riyadhs involvement in the Yemen war, the arrest of women activists, and a diplomatic row with Canada.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said his plans to attend an investment conference in Riyadh next week would be revisited on Thursday after U.S. officials have a chance to consult Pompeo. International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde and top executives from Societe Generale (SOGN.PA) and Glencore joined a growing list of executives who have pulled out.

Saudi Arabia has said it would retaliate against any pressure or economic sanctions.

Reporting by Leah Millis, Tulay Karadeniz and Steve Holland; additional reporting by Makini Brice, Lesley Wroughton, Arshad Mohammed and Mark Hosenball in Washington, Ali Kucukgocmen, Daren Butler and Yesim Dikmen in Istanbul and Gulsen Solaker, Orhan Coskun and Tuvan Gumrukcu in Ankara; Writing by Stephen Kalin and David Dolan; Editing by William Maclean, Angus MacSwan, Grant McCool and Leslie Adler

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President Donald Trump on Thursday said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is getting very high marks, despite his increasingly autocratic behavior.

Its a great honor and privilege because hes become a friend of mine to introduce President Erdogan of Turkey, Trump told reporters. Hes running a very difficult part of the world. Hes involved very, very strongly and, frankly, hes getting very high marks.

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Erdogan, who spoke through a translator ahead of his meeting with Trump at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, echoed Trumps sentiment, calling the American president my dear friend, Donald.

The cozy rhetoric between the two comes after Erdogans trip to Washington earlier this year. Video published by VOA Turkish appeared to show Erdogan watching a violent clash between Turkish security officials and protesters outside the Turkish Embassy in May.

Nineteen people were indicted on charges of attacking protesters outside the embassy. The Associated Press reported that 15 of the people facing formal charges are Turkish security officials

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The White House never addressed the incident, but the State Department condemned the assault, with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson saying this is simply unacceptable.

Erdogan had said he spoke with Trump earlier this month about the clash, remarking in a television interview that Trump had conveyed his sadness.

Trump didnt directly answer shouted questions Thursday, one of which included his message regarding violence against peaceful protesters.

Well be discussing many issues, he replied. Many issues.

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"He entered the general consulate himself and if he has entered by himself and if he did not exit it, of course this should be proven by the general consulate," Erdogan said at a press conference in Budapest.

Erdogan said the Saudi consulate should have CCTV cameras and should be able to show the video of Khashoggi leaving the building. He mentioned that there are no documents or evidence that show the journalist departing.

The Justice Ministry and the chief prosecutor in Istanbul "started an investigation and efforts are continuing," Erdogan said. Airport entrances and exits are being investigated.

"At the moment there are certain people who arrived from Saudi Arabia. And our chief investigator is investigating everything in this matter."

These are the latest developments in Turkey's probe into the disappearance of Khashoggi, a Washington Post writer and Saudi royal court insider-turned-critic. Turkish officials told several media organizations that he had been murdered inside the consulate.

Saudi Arabia has strenuously denied any involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance.

Khashoggi, who left Saudia Arabia in 2017, entered the building on Tuesday to obtain documents for his upcoming marriage while his Turkish fiance waited outside. But she says she never saw him re-emerge.

A Saudi official said Khashoggi left the consulate shortly after he visited. The Saudis did not, however, release any surveillance footage or other evidence.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday called Khashoggi a "friend" he had known for some time, and vowed to personally "chase" the investigation into his disappearance.

Turkish police are also examining all the consulate's entry and exit records, from the time Khashoggi entered the building until his fiance lost contact with him.

Turkish officials: Khashoggi was killed in consulate

Four days after Khashoggi vanished, unnamed Turkish officials told the The Washington Post and Reuters that the journalist was killed inside the consulate. The officials have so far provided no evidence or details of how they arrived at this conclusion.

Yasin Aktay, a political adviser to Erdogan, told CNN on Sunday that he too believes there is a strong possibility that Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate.

"I personally think the possibility of him being killed is stronger than other possibilities, although I do not want to accept it. Because if he was alive, Saudis would provide evidence that he is alive," Aktay told CNN during a telephone interview in Istanbul.

"If he is not in the consulate and if he did not leave through the normal ways, he might have left sedated or left in pieces."

Aktay, who is also an adviser to the ruling AK Party, told CNN that said the Turkish government is not "ignoring any piece of evidence," and said the Saudis are not "sharing any convincing explanations on what happened inside the building."

Fifteen Saudi Arabian nationals -- including several officials -- arrived in Istanbul on two planes and visited the Saudi consulate there on the day Khashoggi went missing, state-run Anadolu news agency reported Saturday, citing police sources. The 15 Saudis have all since left Turkey, it added.

As demands for answers grew, Saudi officials gave journalists a tour Saturday of the six-story building in an effort to prove Khashoggi was not inside. Reuters said that a consular official showed them every room, even opening up cupboards and filing cabinets. No sign of him was found.

On Sunday, Khashoggi's family in Saudi Arabia appeared to distance themselves from media reports of his death, saying in a statement to the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya news channel: "We trust the government and the actions taken by it and all the efforts being made in the case of Jamal Khashoggi."

Khashoggi, known in part for his interviews with terror mastermind Osama bin Laden, was a Saudi royal court insider before he left Saudi Arabia in 2017 for Washington. He began to contribute opinion pieces to The Washington Post that were critical of bin Salman's policies, including his consolidation of power. He was named a contributing writer at the Post in January.

Pressure is now mounting on the US to weigh in on the disappearance, which could have serious implications for the precarious relationship between Saudi Arabia and Turkey, already opposed over the blockade by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states against Qatar.

Two senior US administration officials told CNN on Sunday that although Washington is not commenting publicly, and has no information confirming the Turkish claims, the administration is quietly working across several agencies, seeking answers about Khashoggi's whereabouts and talking to senior Saudi officials.

Correction: This story has been updated to remove an incorrect reference to the Saudi ambassador to Turkey.

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