Saudi delegation in Turkey over missing journalist

ANKARA (AA) - A Saudi delegation has arrived in the capital Ankara in connection with investigation into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Turkish officials said on Friday.

A meeting between the delegations of the two countries is expected to be held on weekend, according to the officials, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, has not been heard from since Oct. 2 when he visited the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, amid speculation he was killed by Saudi authorities.

On the same day, 15 Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and visited the consulate while Khashoggi was also inside, police sources said. All of the identified individuals have since left Turkey.

Saudi authorities have yet to give a clear explanation of Khashoggi’s fate, while several countries -- particularly Turkey, the U.S. and the U.K. -- have expressed their desire that the matter should be elucidated as soon as possible.