CURRENT UPDATE : ABDULLA YAMEEN SWORN IN AS 6TH PRESIDENT OF MALDIVES

ABDULLA YAMEEN SWORN IN AS 6TH PRESIDENT OF MALDIVES

Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has been sworn in as the 6th President of the Maldives on Sunday, ending nearly two years of political turmoil that threatened to isolate the country internationally.

Yameen, the half-brother of former President Abdul Gayoom, was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice Ahmad Faiz at a special session of the Parliament in Male. Mohammad Jameel was sworn in as vice-President.

In his inaugural speech, Yameen said he will maintain good neighbourly relations with countries in the region.

54-year-old Yameen, an economist and a candidate of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), clinched an unexpected victory in the presidential run-off yesterday by receiving 51.39 per cent of the votes over opposition leader and former President Mohammed Nasheed who garnered 48.61 per cent votes.

Soon after the results, Yameen told reporters that Maldives desperately needed stability and hoped his opponents would cooperate.

Maldives has witnessed political turmoil since 46-year-old Nasheed resigned under duress in February 2012 in a controversial transfer of power.