UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is monitoring with “concern” the developments in Maldives where former president Mohamed Nasheed has sought refuge in the Indian High Commission.
Ban urged all political parties to exercise restraint, renew their commitment to the Constitution and work toward creating conducive conditions for fair, peaceful and inclusive elections.
“All parties contesting the September 7 presidential elections should be able to field candidates of their choice in accordance with the rule of law and the Constitution,” a statement issued by Ban’s spokesperson here said.
Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid spoke on the phone with his Maldivian counterpart Abdul Samad Abdullah to resolve the “unusual situation” arising out of Nasheed seeking refuge in the Indian Mission in Male.
Khurshid has expressed the hope that a solution “to the satisfaction of everybody” would be found.
Nasheed, 45, has taken refuge in the Indian High Commission in Male to evade an arrest warrant issued by a local court in a case concerning the detention of Chief Judge of the Criminal Court during his Presidency in January last year.