President Nasheed spoke to Egyptian opposition leader and Nobel Prize laureate Mohamed ElBaradei recently and pledged the Maldives’ support for the democratic movement in Egypt.
President Nasheed and Mr ElBaradei discussed at length the current political situation in Egypt, which remains tense after five days of street protests by democracy activists opposed to President Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule.
President Nasheed said he was deeply concerned to hear that Mr ElBaradei remained in detention under house arrest in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.
The President pointed out to Mr ElBaradei that Maldivians have always loved freedom and thus Maldivians will always support those who are peacefully advocating for political freedom in Egypt.
President Nasheed pointed out that the Maldives held its first democratic elections as recently as 2008. He noted the many sacrifices Maldivians made during their struggle for democracy.
Mr ElBaradei thanked the President for extending the Maldives’ solidarity. Mr ElBaradei said Egyptians would take note of lessons learnt from the Maldives, in their own struggle for democracy.