The People’s Majlis has approved the appointment of Mohamed Khaleel, Maldives’ current ambassador to Saudi Arabia, as the country’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Oman.

Majlis voted on the matter at Wednesday’s sitting, with 73 lawmakers voting in favour of Khaleel’s appointment to the post.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had initially nominated Dr. Hussain Niyaz as the Non-Resident Ambassador to Bahran and Oman, he was endorsed by the parliament in July.

However, the president has since withdrawn Dr. Niyaz’s nominations and instead nominated Khaleel as a Non-Resident Ambassador to Oman.

The nomination was reviewed by the parliament’s committee on national security and foreign relations.

The Maldives’ Ambassador to Saudi Arabia is also the country’s representative at the Organization of Islamic Affairs (OIC). 82 lawmakers had voted in favour of Khaleel’s appointment to this post.

He has been serving the government since 1983.

As per Article 115 (l) of the Constitution, the president is entrusted “to appoint members of diplomatic missions to foreign countries and international organizations in consultation with the People’s Majlis.”