Spokesperson at the President’s Office, Abbas Adil Riza, has welcomed the public statement made by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) announcing the party’s readiness for talks.
Speaking at a press conference at the President's Office on Sunday, Mr Riza said the government was ready for whatever talks necessary to calm the political tensions.
Mr Riza, however, stressed that the MDP must stop causing damage to the Police and MNDF centres and people's private property and stop all acts of terrorism. He added the government would not participate in any negotiation that would portray acts of terrorism as political activities exempt from legal actions.
“The government does not want to agree to any unlawful deals. A safe environment
for Maldivians could only be established when all acts of terrorism are
stopped and when due punishment is given for the perpetrators,” said Mr Riza.
In this regard, Mr Riza said the government would never negotiate with MDP to release people who had torched buildings and destroyed public property. He assured the government would not interfere with the work of the Prosecutor General on anyone's behalf, including members of the government.
Mr Riza also said the government would not negotiate, during any talks, on cases of terrorism linked to public protests.
