Saudi Arabia ready to let Turkey search Istanbul consulate for missing journalist Khashoggi: Crown Prince

Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman said late Friday that he is ready to allow Turkey to search the Saudi consulate in Istanbul for journalist Jamal Khashoggi who disappeared this week.

Khashoggi, a contributor to the Washington Post, went to the Saudi consulate on Tuesday to receive an official document for his marriage and has not appeared since then.

On Saturday, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's office said it had begun investigating the disappearance of the prominent journalist, who has been missing for four days.

AK Party spokesman Ömer Çelik later said that Turkey will uncover the details about prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance and his whereabouts.

"The condition of the lost journalist, details on him and who is responsible for this will be uncovered," Çelik told reporters at a party summit chaired by President Erdoğan, adding that Turkey's sensitivity on the issue was at the highest level.

Later on Saturday Turkish police said missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi never left the Saudi Consulate, adding that 15 Saudi's, including officials, were present at the consulate same day. According to the police, they later returned to their countries.

Khashoggi's Turkish fiance reported him missing after the journalist, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. since last year to avoid possible arrest, was not seen after he entered the consulate on Tuesday afternoon for marriage procedures.

After an initial period of silence, Saudi Arabia said the consulate was working with Turkish authorities "to uncover the circumstances of the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi after he left the consulate building".

Turkish presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalın, however, told reporters on Wednesday the journalist was being held at the consulate, adding that Ankara was in touch with Saudi officials.