Parliament inauguration ceremony: <br /> Presidential address completed in four parts

The President will inaugurate the Parliament for this year’s term today. While President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik is scheduled to give his second presidential address of his presidency in parliament at 10:00 am, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Parliamentary Group has announced that they will obstruct the presidential address.

09:56 - President has arrived at the Parliament.

10:02 - Speaker of the parliament Abdulla Shahid has commenced the parliament session.

10:05 - 72 PMs are present at today's session.

10:07 - MDP Parliamentary Group members have gathered near the entrance of the Speakers chambers and continue raise their voices.

10:10 - The Parliament session has been adjourned for 5 minutes.

10:15 - Murshid Abdul Hakeem: Parliament building area

Some MPs have gone into the Parliament building after staying under the umbrellas in the parliament premises during the 5 minute break.

10:23 - MDP supporters are gathered and continue to raise their voices near Naadhee. Police have guarded the area around the Parliament building

10:25 - Parliament session has commenced again.

10:25 - MDP Parliamentary Group members continue to raise their voices and shout inside the parliament hall. The speaker has asked Baarashu MP Mohamed Shifaz to sit down.

10:27 - MDP MPs have crowded near the door where the President will enter the Parliament hall.

10:30 - MDP MPs are now standing in front of the speaker's chair and secretariat.

10:33 -

Dhevana faharah majlis feshumah iulaan kurmuaa eku MDP membarun ihuthijaaju fashaifi. twitter.com/ahmed_nihan/st…
— Ahmed Nihan(@ahmed_nihan) March 4, 2013

10:34 - Speaker Abdulla Shahid has warned that he will be forced to announce the names of the MPs who disrupt the order of the session.

10:38 - Parliament session adjourned for the second time.

10:39 - Parliament session adjourned for 15 minutes to hold discussion with MDP MPs.

10:46 - Hussain Hassan: Parliament building area

President Dr. Mohamed Waheed started to make his way to the parliament hall with the assistance of MNDF personnel and the Secretary General of the Parliament, but turned back as MDP MPs continue to obstruct his way. President is still in the Parliament building.

10:49 - Speaking at DhiTV, Gaumee Ithihaad spokes person Abbas Adil Riza said that while the president is trying to give his presidential address, the actions of the Speaker of the Parliament Abdulla Shahid are such that supports the MDP MPs.

"The actions of the Parliament Speaker are such that it signifies support for the MDP members. The purpose is to show these things to the outside (international) world," - Abbas Adil

10:52 - Murushid Abdul Hakeem: Parliament area

MDP Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader Ali Waheed has told the press that the President will not be allowed to make his presidential address regardless of discussions and that he will not be allowed to make the address in the two weeks to come.

11:01 – Parliament session has commenced again.

11:04 – President has entered the parliament hall and seated at his designated chair.

11:04 – President Waheed has left the parliament hall

11:25 -

Majlis kuriah gendhevumah huras elhi 2 mem cahmber in nerumuge amuru gai Majlees Raees dhennme soi kohffi. twitter.com/ahmed_nihan/st…
— Ahmed Nihan(@ahmed_nihan) March 4, 2013

11:25 - Parliament Speaker has signed an order to remove two MPs who had obstructed the parliament session from the parliament hall.

11:28 - Hussain Hassan: Parliament chamber

Security has entered the parliament hall to remove Dhaandhoo MP Mohamed Riyaz from the parliament hall.

11:31 - Hussain Hassa: Parliament building

Security has entered the hall again as Riyaz refused to leave the parliament hall after the security advised him to leave three times.

11:36 - Riyaz has voluntarily left the hall after security entered to remove him for the fourth time.

11:37 - MP Ali Waheed, whose name has also been announced, is currently outside the parliament hall.

11:39 - Ali Waheed has entered the parliament hall again.

11:40 - Security has entered the hall to remove Ali Waheed.

11:43 - Abdulla Jabir, whose name has also been announced, has left the parliament hall voluntarily after security entered the hall to remove him.

11:49 - The MPs whose name has been announced to be removed from the parliament hall are; Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir and Dhaandhoo MP Mohamed Riyaz

11:53 - Bell rung to commence the session for a fourth time.

11:55 - Hussain Hassan: Parliament chamber

Members have started to enter the parliament hall following the bell.

12:02 - President has entered the parliament hall and has started the presidential address.

12:02 -

"I have worked to improve the state of the country during the past year..." - President Waheed

12:04 - MDP MPs continue to raise their voices and create disorder inside the parliament hall.

12:06 - President has paused the presidential address and left the parliament hall after MDP MP tried to obstruct him.

12:07 - Thoddoo MP Ali Waheed has physically attempted to push back the security personnel.

12:12 - MDP MPs have obstructed Speaker Shahid from returning to the hall after it was adjourned. Shahid is unable to enter the parliament hall.

12:26 -

I will do everything to uphold the constitution and laws of my country. I will perform my duty to the best of my ability.
— Mohamed Waheed (@DrWaheedH) March 4, 2013

12:30 -

The world is watching us today. We will be judged for the way we conduct ourselves. I urge everyone to maintain calm.
— Mohamed Waheed (@DrWaheedH) March 4, 2013

12:45 - Security has entered the Parliament hall. It seems they have entered to advice and remove Maafannu-South MP Mohamed Rasheed (Bondey) as his name has been announced.

12:54 – Speaking to the press outside the Parliament building, MP Ali Waheed said that two of the security personnel who are authorized to enter the parliament hall has now barred from entering the hall. He said that the decision was made as the two persons had connections to the events that took place on the 7th February, and said that some of his rival members have also supported the decision.

12:58 - MP Mohamed Rasheed has left the parliament hall after being advised by the Parliament Secretary General.

12:07 – President has again paused the presidential address as MDP MPs started to obstruct him. The President smiled and shook his head before leaving the Parliament hall. Speaker Shahid has also followed the President out of the hall.

13:11 - Hussain Hassan: Chamber

Assault has taken place between Vilufushee MP Riyaz Rasheed and MDP MPs inside the parliament hall .

13:24 -

Majlis membarun ekaku anekaku gayah aiy lumaki balaiganeveyne kameh noon.Every1 ps refrain from violent actions. twitter.com/Roxeyna/status…
— Rozaina Adam (@Roxeyna) March 4, 2013

13:25 - The assault took place after the banner showing the words “Coup Boss”, held in a way that obstructed the view of the President from the parliament floor, was tugged by Riyaz Rasheed from the hands of the MPs that held it. The assault took place between the Riyaz Rasheed and two MDP Parliamentary Group Members; Machangolhi-South MP Koube and Madaveli MP Mohamed Nazim.

13:42 - The Parliament session has been adjourned.

13:50 - Murshid Abdul Hakeem: from outside the Parliament building

MDA member, Dhaandhoo MP Ahmed Amir told reporters moments ago that President Waheed must deliver the presidential address today. Amir said that he would cooperate in achieving this. He said that it has not yet been possible for the president to address the parliament, and that he cannot yet say who should take responsibility for this.

14:05 - Bell to resume session has been rung and MPs have started entering the Parliament hall.

14:07 - President has resumed the presidential address again.

14:09 - MDP MPs continue their attempts to obstruct the presidential address. The President however is continuing the address without pause.

14:12 - MDP MPs have surrounded the area where the Speaker and the President are seated and continues to shout and raise their voices. Ali Waheed has started blowing a whistle. President has again paused the address amidst the chaos.

14:14 - Henveyru-South MP Hamid Abdul Gafoor's name has been announced.

14:15 - Hussain Hassa: Parliament building

MDP MPs continue to crowd near the room where the President and the Speaker are currently waiting.

14:17 - During the all the attempts by the MDP MPs to obstruct the presidential address, MDP Parliamentary Group Leader Hinnavaru MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Nolhivaram MP Mohamed Nasheed (Kernal) chose to remain in their seats.

14:26 -

MP Alhan Fahumee seated in the chair designated for the President Waheed -- Photo: Twitter Nihan

14:27 -

A MNDF officer just hit MP Kubey inside the chamber and ran to hide. After Shahid had escorted Waheed out of the Chamber.
— Eva Abdulla (@evattey) March 4, 2013

14:24 - Hussain Hassan:

MDP MPs splashed water from the plant vases at the Speaker's table. The water has soaked the table's microphones causing it to lose power. It is now being repaired.

twitter.com/Roxeyna/status…
— Rozaina Adam (@Roxeyna) March 4, 2013

14:48

Party leaders in discussion -- Photo: MMS

15:04 – Hussain Hassan: from Parliament hall area

Parliament Secretary General Ahmed Mohamed has said that the parliament session will resume after 15:30hrs.

15:27 Hussain Hassan:

Security personnel have entered the hall to advise Henveyru-South MP Hamid Abdul Gafoor, whose name has been announced, to leave the hall.