The foreign ministers of the G7 countries and the High Representative of the European Union have condemned the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Terming the confirmation of Khashoggi's death the "first step toward full transparency and accountability", the foreign ministers, in a joint statement released on Tuesday, asserted that the explanation from Riyadh has left several "questions unanswered".

The ministers also said that people involved in the killing must be held accountable, adding that Saudi should ensure no such incidents happen in the future.

"We reiterate our expectation for a thorough, credible, transparent, and prompt investigation by Saudi Arabia, in full collaboration with the Turkish authorities, and a full and rigorous accounting of the circumstances surrounding Khashoggi's death," the statement read.

"The circumstances of Khashoggi's death reaffirm the need to protect journalists and freedom of expression around the world," it added.

The foreign ministers also extended their condolences to the family, fiancee and friends of the journalist.

Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed bin Salman went missing on October 2 after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

While Turkey claimed that Khashoggi was murdered in the consulate, Saudi officials said that the journalist died after a brawl inside the consular premises.

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