UK, France voice concern over missing Saudi journalist Khashoggi

The governments of the United Kingdom and France have expressed concern over the disappearance and alleged killing of a veteran Saudi journalist.

Foreign Ministry spokesmen from both countries released statements on Monday about Jamal Khashoggi, who vanished after an appointment with Saudi officials last week at the consulate in Istanbul.

"We are aware of the latest reports and are working urgently to establish the facts, including with the government of Saudi Arabia," a British Foreign Office representative in a statement.

"These are extremely serious allegations," it added.

In seperate remarks, France's ministry of foreign affairs said authorities were concerned over Khashoggi's disappearance.

"We want his situation to be clarified as soon as possible," it added.

A Turkish government source has said that police believe the journalist, who been critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was murdered. Riyadh has denied the claim.

Khashoggi, 59, went to the consulate to obtain official documents ahead of his marriage to his Turkish fiancee. Turkish police said he never left the building.

In his first comments over the disappearance, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday said he was awaiting the results of an investigation.

Khashoggi has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since last year to avoid possible arrest, after criticising Prince Mohammed's intervention in Yemen and the blockade of Qatar.

On Sunday, Canada - one of few western critics of Saudi Arabia - also expressed concern over the wellbeing of the Washington Post journalist.