WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump has said that halting military salesto Saudi Arabia would be detrimental to the country’s economy.

In a statement in Washington, he said the United States would be punishingitself even if it is proven that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi waskilled inside the country’s consulate in Istanbul.

Earlier, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers had demanded firm actionsaying that Washington should block military sales to Riyadh if theallegations over Khashoggi are proven.