Ex-top diplomat Naseem appointed as minister at President's Office

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Monday appointed the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Naseem, as a minister at the President's Office.

Naseem is the second minister appointed to the President's Office, while Solih had appointed Ali Shiyam on the day of his presidential inauguration.

Ahmed Naseem had served the governments of former presidents Ibrahim Nasir, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Mohamed Nasheed. He was the foreign minister and a close aide to Nasheed during his tenure.

Naseem had lived abroad in Sri Lanka during the administration of previous leader, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. He had worked against Yameen's rule in several international forums, and only returned to Maldives after President Solih was elected on September 23.