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A30 world news
Diasabra 16 Juli 2022

Biden says he raised Khashoggi murder with crown prince

an issue of human rights is inconsis- Saudi Arabia hopes to develop tour-
tent with who we are and who I am,” ist attractions there, part of the king-
Biden said. “I’ll always stand up for dom’s effort to expand its economy
our values.” beyond oil. Because of a complex
diplomatic arrangement governing
U.S. intelligence believes that the control of the strategically located
crown prince likely approved the kill- island, America’s departure required
ing of Khashoggi, a U.S.-based writ- Israel’s assent, and the deal was the
er, four years ago. latest reflection of warmer relations
between the Israelis and Saudis.
Biden said Prince Mohammed
claimed that he was “not personally The agreement followed an earlier
responsible” for the death. “I indi- announcement that the Saudis were
cated I thought he was,” the president ending strict limits on Israeli com-
said he replied. mercial flights over their territory.

It was the first encounter between Biden also said progress was being
the two leaders, beginning with a made on extending the ceasefire in
fist bump outside the royal palace in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia had been
Jeddah, in a relationship that could battling Iran-backed militants, lead-
reshape security partnerships in ing to a humanitarian crisis.
the Middle East and the flow of oil
worldwide. The president’s three hours at the
royal palace in Jeddah were seen as a
(AP) — President Joe Biden said ing the kingdom’s human rights For now, it appeared that they were diplomatic win for the crown prince,
he brought up the murder of Ja- abuses as he tries to reset a criti- taking incremental steps forward to- who has tried to rehabilitate his im-
mal Khashoggi in his meeting cal diplomatic relationship. gether. Biden announced that U.S. age, draw investments to the king-
Friday with Saudi Crown Prince peacekeepers would leave the Red dom for his reform plans and bolster
Mohammed bin Salman, reject- “I said, very straightforwardly, for an Sea island of Tiran by the end of the the kingdom’s security relationship
ing the idea that he was ignor- American president to be silent on year. with the U.S.

Sri Lanka’s prime minister sworn in as interim president

(AP) — Sri Lanka’s prime would initiate steps to change The protests underscored the Sri Lanka remains a powder The protesters accuse Ra-
minister was sworn in Fri- the constitution to curb pres- dramatic fall of the Rajapaksa keg, its economy in ruins. japaksa and his powerful
day as interim president idential powers and strength- political clan that has ruled And the military warned political family of siphoning
until Parliament elects a en Parliament, restore law Sri Lanka for most of the past Thursday that it had powers money from government
successor to Gotabaya Ra- and order and take legal ac- two decades. to respond in case of chaos — coffers and of hastening the
japaksa, who fled abroad tion against “insurgents.” a message some found omi- country’s collapse by mis-
and resigned after mass The Rev. Jeewantha Peiris, nous. managing the economy. The
protests over the coun- It was unclear to whom he a Catholic priest and protest family has denied the corrup-
try’s economic collapse. was referring, although he leader, said the country had Abeywardana, the speaker of tion allegations, but Rajapak-
said true protesters would “come through a hard jour- Parliament, urged the public sa acknowledged that some
Lawmakers were to convene not have gotten involved ney.” to “create a peaceful atmo- of his policies contributed to
Saturday to choose a new in clashes near Parliament sphere in order to implement Sri Lanka’s meltdown.
leader who would serve the on Wednesday night, when “We are happy as a collective the proper parliamentary
remainder of Rajapaksa’s many soldiers reportedly effort because this struggle of democratic process and en- Maduka Iroshan, 26, a uni-
term, which ends in 2024. were injured. Sri Lanka was participated by able all members of Parlia- versity student and protester,
all the citizens of Sri Lanka, ment to participate in the said he was “thrilled” that
A tenuous calm was restored “There is a big difference even diaspora of Sri Lanka,” meetings and function freely Rajapaksa had quit, because
in the capital of Colombo between protesters and in- he said. and conscientiously.” he “ruined the dreams of the
on Thursday after protesters surgents. We will take legal young generation.”
who had occupied govern- action against insurgents,” he Protesters cooked and dis- Sri Lanka is seeking help
ment buildings retreated, but said. tributed milk rice — a food from the International Mon- Months of protests reached
with the political opposition Sri Lankans enjoy to celebrate etary Fund and other credi- a frenzied peak last weekend
deeply fractured, a solution Wickremesinghe became act- victories — after Rajapaksa tors, but its finances are so when demonstrators stormed
to Sri Lanka’s many prob- ing president after Rajapaksa resigned. At the main protest poor that even obtaining a the president’s home and
lems seemed no closer. fled Sri Lanka on Wednesday, site in front of the president’s bailout has proven difficult, office and Wickremesing-
As people celebrated in the flying first to the Maldives office in Colombo, people Wickremesinghe recently he’s official residence. On
streets, Parliament speaker and then to Singapore. The welcomed his resignation but said. Wednesday, they seized his
Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana prime minister’s office said insisted Wickremesinghe also office.
promised a swift and trans- Wickremesinghe was sworn should step aside.
parent political process that in Friday as interim president
should be done within a by Chief Justice Jayantha “I am happy that Gotabaya
week. Jayasuriya. has finally left. He should
have resigned earlier, without
The new president could ap- Sri Lanka has run short of causing much problems,” Ve-
point a new prime minister, money to pay for imports of layuthan Pillai, 73, a retired
who would then have to be basic necessities such as food, bank employee, said as patri-
approved by Parliament. Af- fertilizer, medicine and fuel otic songs blared from loud-
ter Rajapaksa resigned, pres- for its 22 million people. Its speakers.
sure on the prime minister, rapid economic decline has
Ranil Wickremesinghe, was been all the more shocking “Ranil is a supporter of Go-
rising. because, before this crisis, the tabaya and other Rajapaksas.
economy had been expand- He was helping them. He
In a televised statement, ing, with a growing, comfort- also must go,” he added.
Wickremesinghe said he able middle class.