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Maldives pres slams 'backstabbing' opposition 'cocktail'

Maldives president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom Friday hit back at the now united opposition saying that his political opponents who had earlier stabbed each other in the back, were now caught in the same "political net" to become a "cocktail."

The newly formed opposition alliance, founded in UK had said it will seek to oust president Yameen and form an interim government to ensure free and fair elections scheduled in 2018.

The Maldives United Opposition brings together the Maldivian Democratic Party, the Adhaalath Party, two of president Yameen’s former deputies and a few of his former cabinet ministers.

Speaking during the mass ruling party rally, president Yameen pointed out that his political opponents had once been adversaries looking to put down one another and stab each other in the back.

"Now they seem to be caught in the same political net. They've become a cocktail," president said.

Despite the opposition pressure, president Yameen insisted that he remained committed to bringing much needed development and progress to the nation.