Maldives minister resigns after presidential poll cancellation

Maldives Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hassan Saeed resigned from his post on Sunday in the backdrop of deepening political infighting after a new attempt to hold presidential elections were thwarted, local media reported. A member of the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), Hassan Saeed's resignation followed the departure of DRP from the coalition government on Saturday. Hassan Saeed told local media outlet Sun online that he resigned because DRP council had decided to leave the government, and also because of "the way things are at this time." He accused the government of obstructing the presidential election, saying that the new regulation that requires foreign observers to obtain special visas and ask for Foreign Ministry approval to enter the country to observe the election is unacceptable. Press Secretary at the President's Office Massood Imad denied Hassan Saeed's allegations. He said the government is not obstructing the election. Massood Imad said that government's stand is for the election to be carried out at the soonest possible date, in a manner to which all three candidates agree, and in compliance with the guideline issued by the Supreme Court.