Maldives rejects UN offer of mediation

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen has rejected an offer of mediation by Secretary General Antonio Guterres, a United Nations spokesperson said today.
"The Secretary-General is following the situation in the Maldives closely and with concern. He offered to the President UN mediation but the President conveyed that mediation was not wanted at this stage," said Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson of the UN Secretary General.
The world body has been keeping a close watch on the developments in Maldives.
On Tuesday, the Maldives' Parliament had extended the state of emergency by another 30 days, bolstering President Yameen's grip on power in the troubled Indian Ocean island nation.

President Yameen had first declared emergency on February 5 after the Supreme Court ordered the release of a group of Opposition leaders, who had been convicted in widely criticised trials. Among them was exiled ex-President Mohamed Nasheed. The court said his 2015 trial had been unconstitutional.
The state of emergency will now end on March 22.

India yesterday reacted strongly over the extension of emergency in Maldives saying the manner in which the 30-day extension was approved by the Majlis in contravention of the Maldivian Constitution is a "matter of concern".
There has been international condemnation of the Maldivian government's moves, including the imposition of the emergency.

The US also expressed disappointment over the development in Maldives and asked President Yameen to uphold the rule of law in the troubled Indian Ocean island nation.