Dhunya Maumoon

Opposition coalition no challenge: Dunya

Foreign Minister Dunya Mamoon has said the Government did not believe the newly formed Maldives United Opposition posed a significant challenge to the Government.

Speaking in a press conference today, Minister Dunya said she did not believe the coalition posed a significant challenge. She said opposition forming a coalition was a given outcome and that this was an anticipated move.

"This has been seen in the history of the country and other nations. We do not believe this is a challenge,"

She added that the Government was fully committed to the all party talks and will lend full support to the talks. Minister Dunya said the current issues in the country can only be resolved by discussions. She said the opposition had exercised stubbornness and she urged them to prioritize on national interests.

Minister Dunya said the Government had requested the UK Government to clarify the status of Nasheed's asylum. However, she said UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs State Minister Hugo Swire is yet to comment on the matter.

When questioned about the status of the former Dhiggaru Constituency MP Ahmed Nazim, Minister Dunya said a decision is yet to be finalized on that. She said the Government had requested to clarify only on the status of Nasheed so far. Minister noted that the UK was a fairly open nation to the Maldives.