Speaker of the Parliament and former President of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed has met with Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid. This is the Speaker's first meeting with a cabinet minister since he was targeted in an IED attack last May.
Nasheed, who is currently in the United Kingdom, posted a picture of him with the minister in a tweet posted on Tuesday. In his tweet, Nasheed said he was delighted to meet his friend and UNGA President, and said it was his first time meeting a cabinet minister since the attack.
A terror attack was carried out against Nasheed on May 6 by detonating an IED as he entered his vehicle near his residence in capital Male'. According to the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), the IED was strapped to a motorcycle parked nearby. Nasheed sustained serious injuries in the attack and multiple critical surgeries were performed on Nasheed at ADK Hospital in Male'. Nasheed later traveled to Germany on May 13 for additional treatment, and he is currently recuperating from his injuries in the United Kingdom.
Although nasheed's family has said he is expected to return to the Maldives in September, it is now unlikely that Nasheed will travel back to the Maldives next month. In a letter sent to the Parliament, Nasheed Monday requested to extend his leave such that he is able to remain abroad for the time being, as he feels reluctant to return to the Maldives while the investigation into the May 6 attack remains incomplete.
