Former Member of the United Kingdom Parliament for Salisbury Mr Robert Key has paid a courtesy call on President Mohamed Nasheed today.

At the meeting held at the President’s Office this morning, the President updated Mr Key on the current political climate as well as the efforts to consolidate democracy in the Maldives.

President Nasheed said the Maldives was the first country in the global Muslim community to peacefully usher a democratic government.

He said the assistance of the Western countries was important for Egypt and other Middle Eastern to consolidate democracy.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Robert Key said the Maldives have led the way in introducing democracy in a Muslim country and set an example of how to bring about democratic change peacefully.

Robert Key was the Member of the British Parliament for Salisbury from 1983 until he retired at 2010 May General Election.

Robert Key joined Prime Minister Thatcher’s government in 1990 as the Minister for Local Government Finance and Inner City Regeneration. He also served in Prime Minister John Major’s government as a Junior Minister at the Department of National Heritage as well as the Minister for Transport.

In addition, Robert Key held senior posts at the British Parliament and the British Conservative Party.