Maldives has no valid reason to cut ties with Qatar: Ex-President Maumoon

The State of Qatar has given the Maldivian government no valid reason for it to have severed ties with the Arab nation, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has said.

Maumoon told the press after his arrival from a three-month stay in Singapore that Maldives’ policies should be hospitable towards all nations, especially Muslim ones.

“I do not believe the Maldives should sever ties with Qatar, nor do I believe it should have done so with Iran or even left the Commonwealth” Maumoon said.

He further echoed the opposition's claims that the move would be detrimental to Maldives' socio-economic development.

Gayoom returned to capital city Malé on Wednesday night. Members of the opposition alliance, including parliamentarians aligned with the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) who have withdrawn support for the government, had gathered at the airport and awaited his arrival.

This includes his opposition partners; Jumhooree Party leader Qasim Ibrahim and Ibrahim Solih, the Maldivian Democratic Party’s parliamentary group leader.

Gayoom left to Singapore on March 8th to visit his ill sister-in-law, Fareesha Ibrahim. Fareesha succumbed to her dwindling health on March 30th. There were reports that his half-brother incumbent President Abdulla Yameen’s administration had pursued his arrest.

Gayoom responded to questions from the press over the matter, saying that ‘there is no punishment [he] fears, except that of Allah’