In his first public remarks since journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder tipped the country into one of its worst crises, King Salman of Saudi Arabia stood by his son and crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, praising his son's economic reform program without directly addressing the murder case.

"The country is working tirelessly to create more jobs and training for Saudi youth," Salman said in his annual address to the Shura Council, the country's top advisory body. "The crown prince, chairman of the Council of Economic Affairs and Development, has focused on developing human capabilities and preparing the new generation for future jobs."

The 82-year-old king also highlighted Saudi Arabia's priorities for the coming year, focusing on issues such as the war in Yemen, security for Palestinians, stability in the oil market, countering rival Iran and job creation for Saudis.

In his speech, the king did not make any direct reference to Khashoggi's murder but he did commend Saudi Arabia's judiciary and public prosecution for their work in seeking justice in accordance with Islamic law.

Last week, the Saudi public prosecutor's office filed criminal charges against 11 Saudis for suspected involvement in the killing and said it was seeking the death penalty against five of them.

"The kingdom was founded on Islamic principles of justice and equality, and we are proud of the efforts of the judiciary and the public prosecution," the king said. "We ensure that this country will never deviate from implementing God's law without discrimination."

The country was embroiled in crisis as the murder provoked international outrage. Last weekend, the US announced sanctions on 17 Saudis suspected of involvement in the killing. On Monday, Germany announces it will bar 18 Saudis from entering its territory and Europe's Schengen passport-free zone over their alleged links to the murder. Earlier in October, Germany also took the lead in suspending arms sales with Saudi Arabia.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Monday that France will decide very soon to impose sanctions on individuals linked to Khashoggi's murder. "We are working very closely with Germany at this moment... and we will decide ourselves a certain number of sanctions very quickly over what we know (about the murder)."

Saudi Al-Arabiya television reported the prince will attend the upcoming G20 summit in Argentina later this month, his first overseas trip since the murder. 

The prince will come face-to-face with international leaders from Turkey, which has stepped up pressure on the kingdom, the US and other European nations at the two-day summit that begins on November 30.

(Sources: AP, AFP)