Manama: The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt have commended the directives and decisions taken by King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud over the tragic death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Early on Saturday, Riyadh announced that Khashoggi died in a fist-fight at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and that 18 Saudi citizens were being investigated.

A prominent court consultant, the vice-president of the Saudi intelligence presidency and three senior officers have been sacked.

King Salman also ordered the formation of a special commission to restructure the Saudi intelligence presidency.

In Abu Dhabi, UAE backed the directives and decisions issued by King Salman in relation to Khashoggi’s regrettable and painful death.

Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, commended King Salman’s keenness and great efforts made to uncover the truth on the case, a fact that was clearly reflected in the King’s decisions and directives.

Saudi Arabia, represented by its leadership, was and still is a state of institutions based on justice and fairness.

The royal decisions and actions, taken following the investigation in this case, reaffirm such established values and principles to ensure the rule of law and justice.

Shaikh Abdullah prayed to Allah Almighty to protect Saudi Arabia, its leadership and people.

Bahrain praised the “wise directives and sound and prompt decisions”, saying they reflected the great interest of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in establishing justice and fairness and in uncovering facts honestly and objectively, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

They also consolidate the fact that Saudi Arabia has always been the state of justice, values and principles that applies the law on all without exception.

Bahrain stresses that Saudi Arabia, with its high regional and international standing and its great assets and noble contributions, will continue to be the basis of security and stability in the region and the world, the statement added.

“Bahrain reiterates its strong solidarity with Saudi Arabia in all its stances and measures and utterly rejects any attempt that targets its security, sovereignty and stability.”

In Cairo, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said the “decisive and brave” measures taken by the Saudi king over the investigation in Khashoggi’s case “respect the principles of law and applications of effective justice.”

The judicial procedures taken by the Saudi government will cut the road for politicising the case and targeting the kingdom, the ministry said in its statement.

The decisions proved the commitment of Saudi Arabia to uncovering the truth and taking legal measure against the perpetrators on the basis of transparent investigations, it said.