The Latest: State disputes conclusion in Saudi killing

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi (all times local):

2:35 p.m.

The Trump administration is taking issue with reports that cite a U.S. official as saying American intelligence agencies have concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi (jah-MAHL' khahr-SHOHK'-jee).

A State Department statement says the reports that the government "has made a final conclusion are inaccurate." The reports were attributed to a U.S. official who wasn't authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Spokeswoman Heather Nauert says "there remain numerous unanswered questions," and the department "will continue to seek all relevant facts."

The Saudi government has denied the claim about the crown prince.

Trump spoke on Saturday with the CIA director and the secretary of state.

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1:30 a.m.

U.S. intelligence officials have concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. That from a U.S. official.

The Saudi government has denied the claim.

The conclusion will bolster efforts in Congress to further punish the close U.S. ally for the killing. The Trump administration this week sanctioned 17 Saudi officials for their alleged role in the killing, but lawmakers have called on the administration to curtail arms sales to Saudi Arabia or take other harsher punitive measures.

Khashoggi, a Saudi who lived in the United States, was a columnist for the Post and often criticized the royal family. He was killed Oct. 2 at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.