President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, MP for Hinnavaru constituency, and vice president-elect Kaashidhoo constituency MP Faisal Naseem attended a parliament committee meeting on Thursday.

While a Public Finance Committee was held in the evening, both were given a warm welcome on arrival.

At the meeting, ruling coalition aligned lawmakers pledged support to Solih’s administration including in approving a state budget for next year.

Noting that the country’s foreign debt is extremely high, the newly elected president stated that they must pay heed to this in moving forward. He said that work must be done to extend loan repayment deadlines and to increase the state income.

Both Solih and Naseem noted that they will continue to attend parliament sittings and committee meetings until they assume office on November 17.

While both Solih and Naseem are members of the Public Finance Committee, incumbent President Abdulla Yameen- also a former lawmaker- was a member of the committee as well.