‘Maldives National Movement’ has said today that President Dr Mohamed Waheed has assured that his decision on the issue of GMR will be as per the wishes of the Maldivian people.

The Civil Society Coalition presented 35,000 petitions against GMR to the President this evening. The President met the senior officials of the National Movement who went to the President’s Office with the petitions.

After the meeting, Minister of State for Home Affairs Abdullah Mohamed told reporters that that the President said that several legal issues had to be considered in relation to the case concerning GMR. The President said that efforts in this regard are now complete, and that a decision – as per the wishes of Maldivians - will be made after he holds a meeting with the Cabinet.

Abdullah Mohamed said that additional 35,000 petitions have been sent to different regions of the Maldives to obtain signatures, and that a ceremony will be held to present those petitions next week.

The National Movement said yesterday that it will no longer discuss the issue of GMR with the government, and that it will go for ‘direct action’ unless the agreement with GMR is cancelled within 30 days.