Saudi Crown Prince to address investment forum

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to address a major investment forum on Wednesday, his first speech since the killing of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi earlier this month.

The Future Investment Initiative (FII), which opened in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday, has been overshadowed by Khashoggi's killing at a Saudi consulate in Turkey, prompting many business leaders and government officials around the world to boycott the annual summit.

The event's organizers said that Prince Mohammed bin Salman tops the list of speakers on Wednesday. He is anticipated to unveil a major business deal.

Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, inked deals worth more than 50 billion dollars on the first day of the forum, nicknamed "Davos in the Desert."

The 33-year-old Saudi heir apparent made a late appearance at the event on Tuesday and was greeted by a standing ovation, with attendees apparently unperturbed by the role he is thought to have played in Khashoggi's disappearance and suspected murder.

A video clip by Saudi-owned television Al Arabiya showed Prince Mohammed smiling as he posed for selfies with several Saudi and foreign attendees.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and vocal critic of Mohammed, has not been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

Saudi Arabia initially denied having any knowledge of what happened, but last week said he was killed during a brawl inside the consulate.

The FII, which made its debut last year, is the brainchild of Prince Mohammed, who seeks to diversify the monarchy's oil-reliant economy and promote Saudi Arabia as a business-friendly place.