A Federal Foreign Office spokesperson issued the following statement on the situation in the Maldives:

“Foreign Minister Westerwelle is persistently concerned about recent developments in the Maldives, especially the violent attacks against representatives and supporters of the Maldivian Democratic Party. It is in the best interest of the new government to strengthen their national and international legitimacy through an independent investigation of this week’s events.

The German Government has taken note of President Waheed’s intention of forming a ”national unity“ government. The participation of all major parties represented in the country’s parliament will be a vital prerequisite for this government’s political authority.

The German Foreign Minister expects the new leadership of the country to respect the norms and principles of democracy and the rule of law, and to guarantee the right to demonstrate peacefully.”