Pompeo in Turkey for talks on missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi

Saudi Arabia has promised to ensure a thorough probe and accountability over a missing Saudi journalist but stand by denials the kingdom killed him.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is greeted by Deputy Governor of Ankara Murat Soylu, in Ankara, Turkey. Source: AP

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has arrived in Ankara for talks with the Turkish leadership over the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul

Pompeo, arriving fresh from talks in Saudi Arabia, touched down at Ankara's Esenboga Airport, and immediately went into a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the VIP lounge before the Turkish leader flies to Moldova, an AFP correspondent said.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is greeted by Deputy Governor of Ankara Murat Soylu, in Ankara, Turkey. Source: AP

Pompeo, who will also meet Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, visits Ankara after a trip to Riyadh where he held talks with King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other senior leaders on the case of Khashoggi.

The Saudi journalist, critical of Riyadh, has vanished since he stepped inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

Jamal Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi consulate in Turkey. Source: AAP

Speaking to reporters on a plane taking him from Riyadh, Pompeo said Saudi Arabia has promised to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation into the case.

Mr Pompeo meets with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Source: AP

However, Turkish sources say the journalist was killed inside the consulate - claims Riyadh slammed as baseless.

The Turkish delegation, including police and prosecutors, searched the Saudi consulate on Monday after Riyadh gave the green-light.