Attorney General Mohamed Anil has refuted the opposition’s claims that the government’s decision to sever ties with Qatar was directly influenced by Saudi Arabia’s move on Monday, and said that it was purely independent and uninfluenced. 

At a conference on Monday night, along with Foreign Minister Mohamed Asim, Anil said that the decision was made after hefty discussion at the cabinet. Members of the cabinet had weighed the benefits and losses that the Maldivian people would face quite thoroughly, Anil said.

Anil had further reiterated the government’s stance, which it announced along with the decision, that Maldives has a no-tolerance policy towards terrorism and religious violence. 

“This decision was made so as not to empower or in any way collaborate with those that support the ongoing violence and radicalism we see in the international spheres today” Anil said.

Maldives has had diplomatic relations with Qatar since May 26th, 1984. The opposition has condemned the decision to sever ties with the Qatari people, describing it as a move that is reckless and would endanger Maldives’ socio-economic development. 

The government’s announcement came hours after Saudi Arabia and several other Arab nations severed ties with Qatar, claiming that the nation’s policies fuel terrorism and radical ideologies.