Maldives intensified its condemnation of the recent attacks on Saudi Arabia’s embassy and consulate in Iran, with its top diplomat expressing concerns over Iran’s failure to stop the atrocity.
In her statement at an emergency meeting of the foreign ministers of the world body representing Islamic nations, foreign minister Dhunya Maumoon said an attack on a diplomatic mission is of grave concern. The failure to prevent these attacks by the host country represents a serious breach to two of the most important international conventions that we pledged to abide by, she added, carried out by the Reuters, Jan. 21.

The Maldives also called upon the government of Iran to take all necessary steps to ensure that the perpetrators of these atrocious crimes are brought to justice.

The Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) earlier said that Saudi Arabia had sought the emergency meeting.

According to OIC guidelines, any member state may request a meeting on a specific issue and the OIC would hold such a meeting so long as the request receives the support of at least 29 member states.

Tensions surged earlier this month when furious crowd of mobs in Iran set fire to the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad.

In response to the attacks on its diplomatic missions in Iran, Saudi Arabia severed ties with Iran, giving Iranian diplomats 48 hours to leave the country.

This was followed by Bahrain and Sudan cutting ties with Tehran, while the United Arab Emirates downgraded its links with Iran, recalling its envoy.

Both countries are deeply involved in the war in Syria, where Iran supports President Bashar al-Assad and has supplied “military advisers” to his regime.

The condemnation by Maldives of the attacks on Saudi Arabian diplomatic missions in Iran follows recent efforts by both the Islamic nations to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Maldives and Saudi Arabia, both members of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), established diplomatic relations on March 17, 1981.

Saudi Arabia has since provided the Maldives with financial and technical assistance in several areas, including the construction of mosques in the Maldives. The kingdom also provides scholarship opportunities to Maldivian students annually to undertake courses in areas ranging from religious studies to medicine.

The Maldives, under the Egypt-educated President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, maintained close relations with Saudi Arabia.

Maldives’ relations with Saudi Arabia have been at an all-time high as the archipelago, under the administration of former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s half-brother Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, looks to secure funding for several mega development projects of the government.

Saudi Arabia has agreed to loan USD80 million to the Maldives for the development of the second phase of Hulhumale, the reclaimed suburb of capital Male. Maldives finance minister had said the loan was arranged “in record” time.

The Islamic kingdom had agreed to provide oil to the Maldives at a discounted price as well.