Maldives opposition seeks UN-mediated talks to end crisis

COLOMBO, Feb 27 (AFP): The Maldivian opposition said Tuesday it had hired a former UN rights rapporteur to push the global body to intervene in a political deadlock that has roiled the troubled honeymoon islands.

The opposition alliance, which includes the parties of former presidents Mohamed Nasheed and Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, said they had enlisted British lawyer Ben Emmerson to advise them on securing UN mediation in the crisis.

Emmerson, a UN special rapporteur until last year, is also a member of Nasheed's pro-bono international legal team, which includes high-profile rights lawyer Amal Clooney. His appointment follows reports that President Abdulla Yameen, who declared a state of emergency in a crackdown on dissent earlier this month, had declined an offer from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres for multi-party talks.

Emmerson will "advise the joint opposition in discussions with UN officials" on possible talks with Yameen's administration, the Colombo-based opposition alliance said in a statement.