The first Ambassador of the Maldives to the State of Palestine has presented his credentials to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The Maldives' Non-Resident Ambassador to Palestine, Mohamed Khaleel, presented his credentials to President Mahmoud Abbas at a ceremony held at the Palestine Embassy in the Royal Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on March 1.
This is the first time a Maldivian ambassador has presented a letter of credence to a Palestinian president since the Maldives established political relations with Palestine in 1982.
In 2011, the administration of former President Mohamed Nasheed appointed Dr. Farahnaz Faisal as the Maldives ambassador to Palestine. However, before she could hand over her letter of credence to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in 2012, Nasheed's government changed abruptly in an alleged coup. Dr. Farahnaz subsequently resigned from her post, and the Palestinian president did not issue her letter of appointment.
Speaking at the ceremony, Abbas thanked the Maldives for its firm position in support of a sovereign and independent Palestine and its advocacy to protect the rights of the Palestinian people.
President Abbas also thanked President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for his special consideration and affinity for Palestine.
Ambassador Khaleel said the Maldives will always advocate for the establishment of an independent state in Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital. He noted that the issue of Palestine is one that is close to the heart of every single Maldivian.
The Maldives severed ties with Israel during former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's administration over Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories.
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