Khashoggi's 'vicious' murder should concern the whole world: Erdogan

The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is an issue of concern for the whole world, not just Turkey, President Recept Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday.

Speaking at a news conference at the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Turkish leader brushed off the notion that Turkey had harnessed the dissident's killing as a political issue. 

"For us, this incident is a vicious murder and will remain so," Erdogan said. 

Khashoggi, 59, was initially went missing after visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October.

After repeatedly denying knowledge of the journalist's whereabouts for almost two weeks, Saudi authorities later acknowledged that the Washington Post columnist had been killed. However, Riyadh initially claimed that Khashoggi had died in a scuffle at the consulate, later claiming that the writer had been murdered in a rogue operation.

Erdogan stressed at the G20 that the world would not be satisfied until the all involved in the killing are identified and brought to justice.

"We believe that it will also be in the interest of Saudi Arabia to clarify all aspects of the murder and prosecute all perpetrators," he said. 

The Turkish leader also stressed that Ankara does not wish to harm Saudi Arabia, which was represented by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the summit.

In previous speeches on Khashoggi's killing, Erdogan has appealed to Saudi monarch King Salman to bring the murderers and conspirators to justice, however, has notably omitted mention of Prince Mohammed.

US and Turkish intelligence have reportedly concluded that the prince was behind the assassination order.

On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that he raised the Khashoggi issue during his encounter with Prince Mohammed at the G20, following the release of a footage of the two talking on the sidelines of the summit.

According to analysis of the footage and its audio by The Guardian, the pair's conversation was as follows:

Macron: "I do worry. I am worried … I told you."

Prince Mohammed: "Yes, you told me," the prince says. "Thank you very much."

Macron: "You never listen to me" 

Prince Mohammed: "No, I listen, of course"

The crown prince then smiles uncomfortably after apparently becoming aware of a television camera.

Macron: "Because I told you. It was more important for you."

Macron: (inaudible)

Prince Mohammed: "It's OK. I can deal with it."

Having completed his visit to Buenos Aires, Prince Mohammed will stop in Algeria on his way back home.

The prince will arrive in Algiers on Sunday,  Algerian state media said as par of "the close brotherly relations between the two countries".