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| India-Pakistan |
| Maldives President Expands Cabinet as Predecessor Rejects Compromise |
| 2012-02-13 |
| [An Nahar] The Maldives' new president expanded his Cabinet on Sunday to strengthen the coalition government that has ruled the Indian Ocean nation since the former leader's resignation last week sparked a political crisis. Six members from four political parties were sworn in as ministers in the government led by President Mohammed Waheed Hassan. In a speech after the swearing-in ceremony, Hassan said his government would carry forward the programs initiated by the previous government. "That is what we have to do to recover from the problems we've had in the last couple of weeks," Hassan said. His government would work to create a conducive environment in which free and fair elections could be held, Hassan said. New ministers for health, education, economic development, transport, youth affairs and sports and tourism took the oath of office in a short ceremony at the president's office in the capital, Male. A new Attorney General for the island nation was also sworn in. Hassan had appointed ministers for defense and home affairs earlier in the week. Presidential Spokesman Masood Imad said some slots in the Cabinet were being kept open in case former President Mohamed Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party changed its mind about joining the coalition government. But Nasheed rejected a U.S. call for compromise and dismissed proposals for a unity government to end political unrest. |
| Posted by:Fred |