Claim that UN does not recognize current government is obsolete: President

The President’s Office has said that “the claim that the United Nations does not recognize current government of the Maldives has become obsolete, following the meeting between President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon”.

Abbas Adil Riza, Spokesperson of the Government said today that the government was assured in its position after UN Secretary General met President Waheed at Rio de Janeiro yesterday. Abbas also said that “it would be senseless for MDP to continue with that claim anymore”.

Abbas said that UN Secretary General assured the Maldivian Government about the continuation of UN cooperation and assistance to the Maldives and the current government.

“MDP’s claim that the UN does not recognize the current government has today become obsolete. The Secretary General would not meet any leader of a State in that capacity if the leader has no legitimate authority or if the international community does not accept him as such. Hence, it would be senseless for anyone to make the said claim after this meeting”, said Abbas.

Abbas said that the President briefed UN Secretary General about the works being undertaken to reform the Commission of National Inquiry, established to independently investigate incidents that occurred in the Maldives from 14th January 2012 until 8 February 2012, during their meeting. He also said that the President expressed his gratitude for the UN’s assistance to improve democracy in the Maldives.

According to Abbas, the UN Secretary General congratulated the Maldivian President on the country’s formulation of a Marine Reserve Policy, and assured that the UN would provide all possible assistance to the implementation of the policy.

The UN has called upon all political parties in the Maldives to work in order to find a solution to political turmoil in the Maldives following the resignation of former President Mohamed Nasheed on the 7th of February, this year.