President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has on Wednesday departed to Saudi Arabia.

RaajjeMV understands that Solih departed on Wednesday afternoon on a Umrah pilgrimage trip and that he is accompanied by recently elected Speaker of Parliament and leader of opposition Jumhooree Party Qasim Ibrahim, Adhaalath Party’s Vice President Ali Zahir, MP for Thulusdhoo constituency Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim, opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson’s former Deputy Ali Shiyam, MP for Alifushi constituency, Mohamed Rasheed and former President Mohamed Nasheed’s younger brother Nazim Sattar.

President-elect Solih’s spokesperson Mariya Ahmed Didi revealed that Solih will be greeted by Saudi government officials there, and will be holding official meetings with them.

Solih is scheduled to return on Friday.

While this is Solih’s first official international trip since winning his bid for Presidency in the September election, the Saudi Kingdom was one of the first to congratulate him.