King Salman to arrive in Maldives on Saturday

RaajjeMV has learnt that King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud is to arrive in the Maldives next Saturday, March 18.

The Saudi government has confirmed that King Salman will visit the Maldives, as part of his month-long tour of the Asia-Pacific; including Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Japan, and Jordan. However, neither the Saudi nor the Maldivian government have revealed an exact date on which he will arrive in the Maldives.

A credible source informed RaajjeMV that the Saudi King will arrive in the Maldives next Saturday, with discussions between officials of both governments set for the same day.

The King is to vacation in the Maldives for five days. In addition to the King, 10 ministers, 1500 officials, King’s personal carrier, five additional planes and two helicopters are to be brought in, and the King is to arrive in Malé via a helicopter, from the resort.

To prepare for the Royal visit, various areas in the capital Malé City are being renovated; including the republic square and the presidential jetty.

While security officials, from both nations, are already active in the Maldives- a Saudi navy ship anchored near Malé last week- the three resorts, booked for the trip, will have heavy security presence.

Recent reports indicated that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was interested in buying an entire atoll- Faafu Atoll, with President Abdulla Yameen even saying that “the Saudi government, or those senior in the Saudi government have a special interest for this [Faafu] Atoll.

“They have a very big project planned for Faafu Atoll. All the charts, and drawings have been completed, we have been waiting to start this project since last year,” he had said, on January 24.

However, the Saudi Embassy denied the reports on Friday, saying that the Saudi government has not, and has no intention in buying land, island or an atoll in the Maldives.

Prior reports stated that King Salman was to sign the deal during his trip to the Maldives.