President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih hands over all presidential duties to Vice President Faisal Naseem temporarily as he is to undergo surgery on Friday.

"Following advice from my doctors, I'm scheduled to undergo surgery on my thyroid this morning," President said via Twitter, at 9:15 p.m. Maldives time. He left for Singapore yesterday, which is three hours ahead of Maldives, for medical treatment.

He said he will officially inform the Speaker of Parliament, Mohamed Nasheed, of this decision as well.

"I look forward to returning to work shortly."

This is the first time presidential duties have been handed over to Faisal Naseem.

President Ibrahim Mohamed had flown to Singapore last week as well for medical treatment.

After returning to Maldives on February 15, he had visited all islands of Lhaviyani atoll, the atoll with Hinnavaru, island he is from is located.