Saudi ambassador to Washington 'will not return to US': reports

Khalid bin Salman, younger brother to current Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, returned to Saudi Arabia last week in the wake of the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

It remains unclear who will replace him or whether he will be replaced, the New York Times reported, citing a former American official.

US-Saudi relations were imperiled over the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi – a Saudi Washington Post journalist who had been critical of the Saudi regime.

Khashoggi's disappearance shocked Saudi allies, prompting the US - the kingdom's top trading partner - to threaten "severe punishment".  

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived for talks with the Saudi king on Tuesday over the case.

Mohammed bin Salman and Pompeo were seen smiling and exchanging pleasantries ahead of the meeting on Tuesday.

"We are strong and old allies. We face our challenges together - the past, the day of, tomorrow," Prince Mohammed told Pompeo.

US President Donald Trump had dispatched the top American diplomat to Riyadh for talks about the incident which has sparked international outrage.

Separately, the Saudi embassy in Washington cancelled its National Day celebration, scheduled for October 18.

Agencies contributed to this report.

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