President dodges questions about Yameen split
He said that a lot of lies had been spread about him during the campaign even, but that he did not respond to that either.
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
President Mohamed Muizzu did not give direct answers to questions from journalists about former President Abdulla Yameen at a press conference on Tuesday.
During a press conference held at the President's Office to announce major cabinet decisions, questions were asked about the president's view of some of his supporters' claims that they voted for President Muizzu to free Yameen, and questions about the severing of ties between the two leaders.
However, in answering none of the questions directly, the President repeated the same answer he gave at the Velana International Airport two days ago.
"I told you the other day that I am ready to work with all those who put the interests of the country first. I do not believe that any political leader will not put the country first," he said.
"I don't have any problem working with anyone. I said then too, that I want us to be united, allied and move forward conversing politely and with respect.'
Continuing his speech, he said he always looked forward. He said he had "nothing personal, no dissatisfaction" with anyone in his heart.
"All political leaders are very important to me in moving the country forward. So, that's the answer to that question," he said.
Less than a week after President Muizzu's government, Yameen has left the PPM to form a new party called the People's National Front (PNF). According to his senior lawyer Dr Mohammed Jameel, the relationship between Yameen and President Muizzu broke down with the election of the President.
Since he did not answer the questions about Yameen directly, Atoll Times repeated the questions again at the second opportunity.
“The answer to what you asked about President Yameen is that I have never spoken about any of them, never,” he said.
Asked to elaborate on the answer at the third opportunity, the President said:
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"It's not specifically about President Yameen [the earlier reply]. I said I have never spoken anything about anyone else at a personal level to date, right? Never have. He said this, or i said that."
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"I dont go around talking about anyone. That’s what I am saying.”
When asked if people should be made aware of the truth regarding the slander surrounding the president, he said that a lot of lies had been spread about him during the campaign even, but that he did not respond to that either.
“They made rolls and distributed them,” the President said in his closing statement of the press conference.
