Ban raises concerns on Maldives

UN leader Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called for political dialogue in the Maldives to overcome new tensions in the Indian Ocean state where the former president says he was ousted in a coup. "The secretary general expresses his concern about the continued political tensions in the Maldives,

which were manifested today in actions that impeded the opening of the Maldives' parliament," said UN spokesman Martin Nesirky.

Opposition MPs prevented the new president Mohamed Waheed from opening parliament and violent protests erupted outside the building.

Ban said the political crisis following the February 7 change of power "must be resolved peacefully through a national process and on the basis of dialogue and consensus." AFP