Maldives new president to form coalition government

Male - Newly-appointed Maldivian President Mohamed Waheed Wednesday announced he would form a coalition government with the participation of all political parties, including former president Mohamed Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Waheed, appearing before media for the first time at the President's House since assuming office Tuesday, said discussions were underway to form a National Unity Government, reported Xinhua.

"I will work with the spirit of coalition with various partners of the country. Together with them, we will be able to build a stable democratic country that respects individual freedom foremost (and) respects and upholds (the) constitution that guarantees the bill of rights for our people," said Waheed.

"I am in consultation with all the major political parties. I have had several meetings with them, including president of MDP," he added.

After three weeks of continuous protests, later joined by police in the Republic square in Male, Mohamed Nasheed resigned from the post of president Tuesday.

Waheed, who was vice president in Nasheed's administration, is to continue as president till the next presidential election in 2013.

The new president said that by the end of the day he would be able to get an idea how many parties are going to join him to form the government of National Unity and their suggestion for nominations will be sent to the People's Majlis, the country's parliament.

In the meantime, the government will continues with the support of independent civil servants in the country's respective institutions, Waheed said.