United States government also welcomes CNI's report

The Commission of National Inquiry (CNI), established to investigate the change of government, has presented its report to President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik.

09:56 - The report was presented to the President at the President's Office by the member of the CNI. Meeting to publicise the report will commence shortly.

10:01 - Security has been strengthened in Male', including the President's Office area, prior to the release of the report.

10:05 - President's Office: The Commission of National Inquiry, established through a Presidential Decree, has completed its work and presented the report to President Dr Mohamed Waheed. The report was presented by the Co-chair of the Commission, retired Judge of the Supreme Court of Singapore, Justice G.P. Selvam. At the ceremony held this morning at the President's Office, members of the Commission briefed the President on the main issues noted in the report. The President thanked the members of the Commission for their work.

10:11 - A Cabinet Meeting is currently under way, which will be followed by a press conference.

10:14 - Raajje TV has claimed that its reporters were not allowed at the press conference about to take place at the President's Office.

10:20 - Supporters of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) have gathered at Usfasgandu to listen to the report briefing. This includes former President Mohamed Nasheed and other leaders of MDP.

10:28 - The President is currently holding a meeting with members of his Cabinet and Leaders of Political Parties. After this meeting, the President will address the nation and present a summary of the report.

The President, Attorney General and some Ministers will then hold a press conference.

10:35 -

Cabinet meeting is goin on now. and the statement will be addresed after half and hour. - Abas Adil Riza #maldives twitter.com/MvPressCenter/…

— MvPressCenter (@MvPressCenter) August 30, 2012

10:47 -

10:48 - Cabinet Members have arrived at the press conference hall.

10:50 -

10:52 - It has been confirmed to Sun that the change of government was constitutional. The report consists of four main points.

10:58: - MDP has issued a statement, condemning Raajje TV being denied entry to the press conference. According to MDP, Raajje TV, just like any other TV Station, has a broadcast licence, which means it should be allowed at the press conference. The statement also states that such bias and obstructions to media would result truthful information not being relayed to the public.

10:58 -

Ministers attented to the hall. twitter.com/MvPressCenter/…

— MvPressCenter (@MvPressCenter) August 30, 2012

11:03 - Everyone at Usfasgandu is watching TV, including former President Nasheed. He is accompanied by leaders of MDP.

11:05 - President Dr Waheed is addressing the nation.

The President addresses the nation after the CNI presented its report to him: The issues highlighted in the report will be addressed. -- Sun photo: Fayaz Moosa

11:07 - CNI has published the report on its website.

http://www.coni.org.mv/coni/wp-content/uploads/C0NI-Report.pdf

11:13 - President's address to the nation:

I became President following the resignation of the former President according to the Constitution. The Constitution states that if the President resigns for any reason, the Vice President will assume the post of President.Less than 24 hours later, MDP created doubt about the legitimacy of the new government. They damaged and set fire to public property, created unrest in the country, resulting in damage worth hundreds, millions of Rufiya. I assured that I will not do anything in violation of the Constitution, that I will not influence the judiciary. My aim was to establish fairness and justice, and to take action against those who had done wrong. My spirit is still the same today.

11:12 - Nasheed has left Usfasgandu, prior to the presentation of the report.

Some leaders of MDP are still at Usfasgandu.

11:16 - President's address to the nation:

I wanted to find an official solution to the doubts about the legitimacy of the new government. I appointed educated, capable, independent people to the Commission which was established for this purpose. My priority was to establish a trusted Commission, according to the advice of foreign groups. I thus appointed an experienced Judge, and a representative of the former President to the Commission. The Maldives should be proud of Singaporean retired Judge Selvam's contributions to our country.I also thank Nasheed's representative, Saeed.

11:17 - The CNI's report highlights four main points, which includes that the change of government on 7 February was legal. It also states that the downfall of Nasheed's government was the reaction to Nasheed's earlier actions. The report states that Nasheed's resignation was voluntary and of his own free will, and was not caused by intimidation.

11:19 - MDP's Chairperson Reeko Moosa Manik has announced an emergency meeting of the MDP National Council at Dharubaaruge

11:20 - President's address to the nation:

We are one united people. This is not a privilege enjoyed by most nations. This is a true blessing. I urge you to make the best of this blessing. I encourage you to respect our religion, prioritise the interests of our nation, and to fully cooperate with the government.

11:22 - Supporters of MDP were shouting in protest as the President addressed the nation in relation to the report of the CNI.

11:27 - President's address to the nation:

Now is the time to prioritise peaceful discussions. I call on the Parliament to complete the laws noted by the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives in its recent report. I will ensure that I do my part, to address the issues mentioned in HRCM's report.

11:28 - Government Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza has said that former President Nasheed refused to accept CNI's report when it was sent to him. All other institutions have accepted the report.

11:32 - CNI's findings:

The change of President in the Republic of Maldives on 7 February 2012 was legal and constitutional; the events that occurred on 6 and 7 February 2012 were, in large measure, reactions to the actions of President Nasheed; the resignation of President Nasheed was voluntary and of his own free will, it was not caused by any illegal coercion or intimidation; there were acts of police brutality on 6, 7 and 8 February 2012 that must be investigated and pursued further by the relevant authorities.

11:42 - The Prosecutor General has confirmed that the report has been received, and said that it is currently being studied by his Office.

11:46 -- The President did not mention in his speech that the CNI had noted in its report that the acts of police brutality on 6, 7 and 8 February must be investigated.

The CNI has now been terminated by decree.

11:52 - MDP has commenced a meeting of its National Steering Committee at Dharubaaruge. MDP Chairperson Reeko Moosa Manik is speaking at the moment.

12:01 -- CNI's report is like 'a slap in the face' for us: former Home Minister Mohamed Aslam.

12:09 - Aslam has concluded his speech. He urged the public to gather near Dharubaaruge, and to take to the streets today 'in search of tomorrow'.

12:50 - Manadhoo MP Mohamed Thorig has, at the MDP National Steering Committee meeting, called for the abolition of the Parliament. At this moment, a speech is being given by Dhiddhoo MP Sameer.

12:53 - Sameer's speech at the MDP National Steering Committee meeting:

We should not lose hope. We have the chance of restoring justice, through CMAG. We will face 2013 with new aspirations.

12:56 - Hassan Afeef at the MDP National Steering Committee meeting:

"CNI's decision that Nasheed was not forced to resign shows that the members of the CNI are blind, deaf and dumb." Former Home Minister Hassan Afeef also urged all citizens of the Maldives to travel to Male' to join protests.

13:04 - India has urged all stakeholders to respect CNI's findings. The Times of India has reported that the foreign ministry of India has said in a statement that all parties "must express views on the CNI report with calm and restraint".

13:05 - Hamid Abdul Gafoor:

President Nasheed is with us. My request is that a decision be made here, and that Nasheed joins us.

13:09 - The Parliament Office has reported that Speaker of Parliament Abdullah Shahid, upon receiving CNI's report this morning, has made the decision to deliver the report to all Members of Parliament, the National Security Committee and the Independent Institutions Committee.

13:27 - The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has said in a statement that the CNI's findings, that the government was changed legally, have proved that the recent accusations made against the MNDF are untrue, and that the report has assured and encouraged the military to remain undeterred in their services to the nation.

13:40 - Riot Police have arrived at Dharubaaruge area.

13:53 - A Police Media Official has informed that one person has been arrested for creating unrest near Dharubaaruge, and another person has been taken to the hospital following an injury.

13:54 - MDP has concluded the meeting of its National Steering Committee, after deciding to hold a meeting of its National Council. A resolution submitted by Mariya Didi, requesting to work for the next Parliamentary and Presidential elections, was passed at the Steering Committee meeting.

14:33 - MDP National Steering Committee's meeting:

It was also passed at the Steering Committee's meeting to hold a referendum on holding an early presidential election, on dissolving the Parliament and on holding simultaneous Presidential and Parliamentary elections. The resolution submitted by Mahchangolhi Uthuru MP Mariya Didi was supported by MDP Parliamentary Group President and Hinnavaru MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. All members who spoke at today's Steering Committee meeting said that they will not accept CNI's report, and that the report had failed to take into account the testimonies of the people who had said that the government was changed through a coup. The members of the Steering Committee repeatedly called to change the government by taking to the streets, as the CNI's report supposedly confirms that this is possible. MDP is currently preparing to hold a meeting of its National Council. Members of MDP gathered near Dharubaaruge are verbally attacking the Police Officers in the area. A few clashes have taken place between activists and the Police. Police have restricted several areas in Male' such that protesters cannot enter.

15:01 - Preparations are under way to commence the 109th meeting of MDP's National Council at Rannabandeyri Hall in Dharubaaruge.

15:02 - The President's Office has informed that the meeting to discuss the issues to address following CNI's report will be held at Bandos Island Resort tonight. MDP has earlier said that it will participate in this meeting.

15:55 - MDP has just commenced the emergency meeting of its National Council.

16:05 - A resolution has been submitted to the MDP National Council, alleging that the CNI's report is incomplete because Gaha Ahmed Saeed did not contribute to the draft report, and because he resigned before the report was released.

16:12 - Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has urged all stakeholders to respect the findings of the CNI.

"I urge all concerned to respect the findings of the Commission so that, moving forward, all actions and reactions reflect the sense of responsibility and restraint necessary in the best national interest. I also note the report identifies a number of important issues that need to be addressed regarding the basic institutions of democratic governance, notably the rule of law and administration of justice, the People’s Majlis (Parliament), and the media."

The Secretary-General also expressed appreciation to the Commission members for their efforts to conduct an objective and credible inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the transfer of power in Maldives on 7 February 2012.

16:23 - A Police Media Official has reported that two men have been arrested at around 16:30 today, for attempted arson attacks on Male' Waste Area.

16:52 - The US government has also welcomed CNI's report. The Embassy of the United States in Sri Lanka has issued a statement, praising the leadership of the CNI's Co-chairman.

17:05 - No resolution could be passed at the MDP's National Council meeting, due to calls to take to the streets in protest.

17:09 - MDP's National Council meeting has been disrupted, and members have gone out to the street.

17:23 - Riot Gear Police have dispersed the crowd, as protesters gathered near the Parliament building.

17:31 - The window of a Police jeep in the area of Sosun magu has been broken by a hurled stone.

17:58 - Police have arrested about 10 people, including women, at the protest. Police said that they were arrested for obstructing Police duties.