President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that the top priority of soldiers should be the protection of citizens.

He made the statement while speaking at the Oath Taking Ceremony of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF)’s 68th Basic Training Course held at Maafilaafushi island of Lhaviyani Atoll, on Thursday.

As such, the President stated that protecting the citizens in any situation should be the top priority of every soldier of the Maldives defense force.

Addressing the graduates, the President highlighted the civic duties of soldiers, saying that their duty was to remain steadfast in order to relieve any burden that citizens may face.

The President stated that the soldiers' skills and the fraternal bond formed during their training would be best utilized for national progress by working toward a unified goal in this manner.

Additionally, President Solih stated that science and technology had helped the armed forces gain an advantage and advised graduating soldiers to take advantage of these opportunities. He said that there were opportunities for young people to advance their careers within the ranks of the armed services and that the army needed more young people with a variety of educational backgrounds.

The President stated that in modern-day democratic societies, armed forces are used for peacekeeping rather than war, and that regional military forces are actively engaged in maintaining regional stability.

President Solih stated that the primary responsibility of the Maldivian armed forces is to uphold peace and harmony within the country, and that any action taken by the soldiers to defend the country contributes to the greater goal of regional stability and peace.

The Commander in Chief of the armed forces, President Solih ceremonially presented firearms to the 68th Basic Training Course's graduating class.

This year, 195 soldiers graduated from the course. Judge Uz Sulaiman Mohamed, the Chief Magistrate at the Lhaviyani Magistrate Court, administered the MNDF oath.