Parliament Speaker Abdulla Maseeh has refuted reports that he has resigned from his position at the helm of the legislature.

The Progressive Party of Maldives’ faction still loyal to President Abdulla Yameen held a press conference on Monday night, where they took a live phone call with Maseeh.

Maseeh told panelists and those gathered at the conference that he is not resigning and is instead working to ensure that more special sittings, outside the regular parliamentary sessions, are held.

A special sitting was held on Monday, where Maseeh had read out the government’s proposal to have the 15-day state of emergency extended.

The matter was reviewed and the national security committee voted to extend the state of emergency by another 30 days, making it a 45-day declaration that will last into most of March.

This extension still needs to pass on the parliament floor and a sitting is to be held to take a vote. This sitting would require the attendance of at least half of the 85-seat parliament.