Government hopes to begin direct talks with opposition by mid October

The government is open to discussing the release of opposition leaders and has agreed to an opposition demand for mediation by the United Nations, Shainee, the lead representative for President Abdulla Yameen, told reporters on Thursday.

The thaw comes in the wake of a Commonwealth threat of suspension if the Maldives fails to tackle a protracted political crisis, which was triggered by the arrest and jailing of key opposition figures, including former President Mohamed Nasheed and former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim, more than a year ago.

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party and the Adhaalath Party, which had earlier refused to begin talks until jailed leaders were released, have now said they are willing to sit down without preconditions.