Vice President Waheed Deen resigns

Vice President of the Maldives Mohamed Waheed Deen has resigned.

Local resort owner and businessman, Mohamed Waheed Deen was appointed as the Vice President on 15 February 2012, after the then vice president Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik succeeded to the presidency following the controversial resignation of Mohamed Nasheed. Waheed Deen received parliament approval as vice president on 4 April 2012.

In the earlier days of the presidency, Waheed Deen represented the country in key international meetings and was seen to take an active role in the government, but had noticeably receded from the limelight during the past year, especially during the presidential race.

Owner of Bandos Island Resort, one of the oldest tourist resorts in the country, Waheed Deen is characterized as man of a quiet nature and a man of diplomacy.

The Vice President’s resignation comes hours before the end of the current presidential term, at midnight tonight. However, Supreme Court ruled on Saturday that, if a new government is not elected by 11 November, the present government will continue and President Waheed can remain in office after his term expires.