Wednesday
24th Apr 2024
Dhivehi Edition
Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman with President Solih and ex-President Nasheed
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have approved the renewal of diplomatic ties between the Maldives and Qatar.
According to reliable sources, the Saudi government approved this renewal on December 21, during the discussions that took place between the newly-designated Saudi ambassador to the Maldives; Matrek Abdullah al-Ajalin al-Dosar; and President Solih following the presentation of his credentials at the President's Office.
During these discussions, the Saudi ambassador had said that the renewal of diplomatic relations between Qatar and the Kingdom were currently underway. He had said that there would be "no barrier" to renewed ties with the Maldives once renewed Saudi-Qatari ties became official.
At the GCC summit being held today in Saudi Arabia, Gulf leaders have come together to sign an agreement to renew ties with Qatar.
The Maldives cut ties with Qatar in 2017, under President Yameen Abdul Gayyoom's administration. The then-opposition blamed this diplomatic rift on "Saudi interference".
The renewal of ties with Qatar was one of President Solih's presidential vows. He had vowed to achieve this renewal within 100 days of his inauguration. He has, however, been unsuccessful to meet his own deadline.
The Maldives Journal has received information from a reliable source that ties between the Maldives and Qatar would be renewed within this year. A visit by a high-ranking Maldivian official to Qatar has also been planned. It is supposed that the high-ranking official would either be President Solih himself, or the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah Shahid.