Ousted Maldivian President rejects calls for compromise

Last Updated: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:56:00 +1100

The ousted Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed has rejected calls to compromise and form a coalition government to end political unrest.

The US has called for a compromise, while the new President, Mohamed Waheed (who used to be the country's vice president), has proposed a national unity government be formed.

The new president has also ruled out elections before his term ends in 2013.

But Mr Nasheed insists he was removed in a coup and does not accept the new government as legitimate.

Instead, he wants immediate elections and has also repeated his calls for an independent investigation in to the alleged coup.

Inquiry

Earlier, Mr Waheed said he was open to an inquiry into how he took office.

He said he has heard the calls by international diplomats, who've been pressing for an independent inquiry.

"I am fully committed to an independent investigation. I don't want to set up a presidential commission to do that and to influence the process," President Waheed said.

"There are constitutional mechanisms for doing that. I will discuss with all parties on how best we can achieve that," he promised.

Meanwhile, Mr Waheed has met with the US assistant secretary of state for South Asian affairs, Robert Blake, who was in the Maldives to try to help resolve the political crisis.

Mr Blake says he was aware of reports of "serious violations of human rights" and beatings and expressed his hope that the country could move towards orderly elections.

"The United States hopes that the broadest coalition possible can be formed that would have a majority in parliament," he said.

"This coalition should then work with all parties to reform and improve the capacity of the judiciary, the police and election commission to ensure that elections can be held in an orderly and peaceful manner."