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US congratulates new Maldivian President

Abdulla Yameen has been elected as the new President of the Maldives

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Press Trust of India Washington
Last Updated : Nov 19 2013 | 8:52 AM IST
The US has congratulated Abdulla Yameen on him being elected as the new President of the Maldives, and called the association between the two countries as "a long history of cordial relations".

"The US and Maldives have a long history of cordial relations and we look forward to continuing this partnership with the new president and his administration," State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters yesterday.

"The extraordinarily high turnout on November 16th was a tribute to the Maldivian people's commitment to the democratic process and democratic values," she said.

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"The United States Government reiterates its friendship with the Maldivian people as they work to build a peaceful and prosperous future," Psaki said.

Abdulla Yameen was yesterday sworn in as the 6th President of the Maldives after a shock run-off victory over favourite Mohammed Nasheed, ending nearly two years of political turmoil that plagued the nascent democracy.

Yameen is the half-brother of former autocratic ruler Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

His swearing in brought to a close, the process, that began with the first vote on September 7, which was later annulled by the Supreme Court amid allegations of electoral fraud.

A re-vote planned for October 19 was further delayed, before finally being held on November 9 followed by a run-off on November 16.

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First Published: Nov 19 2013 | 7:55 AM IST

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