Maldives opposition ready for talks with government

The main Maldivian opposition party on Saturday announced it was ready for talks with the government to end the political crisis in the country. The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said it was concerned over the indefinite suspension of parliament and called on all parties involved to engage in constructive dialogue to restore calm and order in Parliament. MDP spokesman Hamid Abdul Ghafoor said the MDP's Parliamentary Group is willing to cooperate with the ruling administration led by President Mohamed Waheed to hold meaningful political talks. Following disputes in the parliament and the forceful removal of two MDP legislators from the Parliament Chambers on 31 July, Parliament Speaker Abdulla Shahid decided to suspend sittings indefinitely citing that an atmosphere of calm was necessary to conduct sittings. "The MDP strongly believes the parliament must deliver on its mandate and public service must be its utmost priority. In this regard, the MDP's Parliamentary Group is willing to cooperate with the administration given, Mohamed Waheed and leaders of political parties represented in the parliament commit to meaningful political talks to agree on the way forward from the Maldives' current political crisis," Ghafoor said. The Maldives has been in turmoil since MDP leader Mohammad Nasheed resigned as president of the country in February this year and later said he was forced to resign in order to appoint Mohamed Waheed as President. Nasheed and his supporters have staged street protests ever since demanding an investigation into the transfer of power and early presidential elections.