S intelligence report on the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The report is a declassified version of a top secret assessment that sources say singles out the 85 year old king's son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for approving the murder of cosmology in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul.

Saudi Arabia denies that the 35 year old crown prince, the de facto ruler of the kingdom, approved the killing.

Biden and Salman also discussed regional security amongst other issues, the White House said in a statement.

The two leaders affirmed the historic nature of the relationship, but did not mention the cash IG report.

Biden later told reporters that the call, their first since he took office last month, was good.

A Saudi news Agency statement also sounded a positive note.

It said Salman congratulated Biden on the presidency and that the pair stressed the depth of bilateral ties and the importance of strengthening the partnership.

A source told Reuters that the report's release was awaiting the call.

It was also delayed as the crown prince underwent surgery earlier this week.

The release of the declassified report on cash Aggies death is part of Biden's recalibration of US Saudi relations, in part over his murder.

But Biden has said he wants to maintain strong ties with one of Washington's closest allies in the region.