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“Maldivian people stand with Qatar”: Nasheed to Qatar

Fathmath Shaahunaz
13 June 2017, MVT 23:17
Former President Nasheed (L-2) with Qatar Ambassador to the Maldives, Rashid Shafea al Marri (R-2), in Sri Lanka.
Fathmath Shaahunaz
13 June 2017, MVT 23:17

Convicted former President Mohamed Nasheed met with the Ambassador of Qatar to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Rashid ‎Shafea Saeed Shafea Al Fahaida Al Marri, on Tuesday in the wake of the Maldives severing all diplomatic ties with the Gulf state.

In a tweet after the meeting which took place in neighbouring Sri Lanka, former President Nasheed said in a tweet that he had “explained how Maldives Prez is compromised - but Maldivian people stand with Qatar”.

Nasheed was accompanied by former Minister of Home Affairs, Mohamed Naseem, at the meeting.

The government of the Maldives announced June 5 that it is severing diplomatic relations of 33 years with Qatar under the Maldives’ policy against supporters of terrorism and extremism. The declaration came just hours after Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt and Libya cut ties with Qatar, accusing Qatar of backing terrorist and extremist organisations.

However, the Maldives assured that economic ties will continue with Qatar and that there will not be any travel restrictions placed upon Qatari nationals to enter the Maldives.

Meanwhile, the severance of diplomatic ties with Qatar, a nation which has aided the Maldives in several fields, has sparked concern among the public and political leaders. The decision has also given rise to rumours that the government had been influenced by Saudi Arabia. However, the state has refuted the allegation, saying that the decision was made on authority accorded to the president in the Constitution after extensive discussions with his Cabinet.

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