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UN chief hails report on power transfer in Maldives

By IANS,

United Nations : UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed a report regarding the disputed transfer of power early this year in the Maldives, and called upon all parties concerned to accept relevant findings.

The report by the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) rejected coup allegations in the Feb 7 power transfer in the Maldives, saying that the transfer was conducted in accordance with the law, reported Xinhua.

The report said then president Mohamed Nasheed’s resignation was legal, and the power transfer to Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan was also in accordance with the steps prescribed by the Constitution. Nasheed’s supporters have been protesting the transfer since February, calling it a coup.

“The secretary general welcomed the release of the report today,” said a statement issued here by Ban’s spokesman Thursday.

“The secretary-general urges all parties to accept the findings of the Commission and now begin the process of national dialogue aimed at resolving the political problems facing the country.”

In February, then president Mohamed Nasheed resigned after days of protests and tensions between the government and military and police. He was succeeded Mohammed Waheed Hassan.

In the wake of those events, the government set up the CNI, with both the UN and the Commonwealth of Nations providing legal advice to the commission.