20 March 2012, Male';Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H. E. Ms. Dunya Maumoon has briefed the Diplomatic community accredited to the Maldives based in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
In the meeting held at the Maldives High Commission in Colombo, State Minister Maumoon briefed the diplomats on the prevailing domestic political situation and underlined President Waheed's priority of consolidating calm and peace in the country. She also conveyed the President's desire to strengthen the National Unity Government and expressed that early election would be welcomed by the Government should all parties agree to that effect.
Continuing, she added that the holding of early elections would require amending the Constitution, which does not prescribe a situation for mid-term elections, should the President resign. The Constitution however, inscribes a Presidential system of government in which the incumbent Vice President assumes the role of President should the latter post become vacant during the prescribed presidential term.
Also during the briefing the State Minister underscored the importance of consolidating the democratic institutions and restoring public confidence in the judiciary. After the presentation, State Minister and the Maldivian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka H. E. Mr. Hussain Shihab answered the questions posed by the audience.
The briefing session was attended by a number of Ambassadors from the Diplomatic Corp in Colombo and other representatives from the Missions.
The briefing was also attended by Deputy High Commissioner Dr. Hussain Niyaz, Defence Advisor at the High Commission Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed Muhthaar and Deputy Additional Secretary at the Ministry Ms. Fathimath Inaya.
End.