UN to contact Maldivian leaders in 'the next few days'

The office of the UN Secretary-General has told news outlets that they will contact Maldivian leaders in the next few days.

Spokesperson to Secretary-General António Guterres, Sephane Dujarric, is quoted as saying that this decision is in response to the opposition’s call for international mediation of dialogue.

“We are very aware of the request. Contacts will be made in the next few days” the Financial Express reported Dujarric to have said.

On Thursday, the allied opposition parties asked Secretary-General António Guterres to mediate dialogue between them and the government, in order to ensure credibility.

A statement released by the Maldivian Democratic Party says that they believe only ‘internationally mediated’ talks are acceptable.

At a press conference also on Thursday, the ruling party’s vice president Abdul Raheem Abdulla said that the party is opposed to the UN acting as a mediator, the implementation of the court order, and the release of Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Justice Ali Hameed.