Pres Muizzu in inaugural address pledges to remove foreign troops

The new government will make Maldives a place where there are no foreign troops, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said in his inaugural speech on Friday.

After taking oath of office, President Muizzu said the government's policy should be based on the best interests of the people of Maldives.

There is no greater happiness than being loyal to the country, the president said, adding that his journey is to steer the country towards its true port.

"Hopefully, we will make Maldives a country without any other foreign troops," he said.

The people will decide the affairs of the people and the only people who can play a leading role in that are the people who are aware of it in every angle, he said.

"I am a Maldivian. For me, the Maldivian people come first on every list. First. People from other countries will come after that," Muizzu said.

The president said he would maintain relations with other countries in the world and respect neighboring and distant countries alike.

"But I will always draw the red line of freedom and sovereignty for the people of Maldives. There will be a red line in every country. There must be such a red line," he said.

The president said the Maldivian state would fully respect the independence and sovereignty of other countries and the Maldivian state should also have that right returned.

"There should be no difference between big and small. It should be respected. Hopefully I will not allow that right to be taken away," he said.