Maldives President Expands Cabinet as Predecessor Rejects Compromise

The Maldives' new president expanded his Cabinet on Sunday to strengthen the coalition government that has ruled the Indian Ocean nation since the former leader's resignation last week sparked a political crisis.

Six members from four political parties were sworn in as ministers in the government led by President Mohammed Waheed Hassan.

In a speech after the swearing-in ceremony, Hassan said his government would carry forward the programs initiated by the previous government.

"That is what we have to do to recover from the problems we've had in the last couple of weeks," Hassan said.

His government would work to create a conducive environment in which free and fair elections could be held, Hassan said.

New ministers for health, education, economic development, transport, youth affairs and sports and tourism took the oath of office in a short ceremony at the president's office in the capital, Male.

A new Attorney General for the island nation was also sworn in. Hassan had appointed ministers for defense and home affairs earlier in the week.

Presidential Spokesman Masood Imad said some slots in the Cabinet were being kept open in case former President Mohamed Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party changed its mind about joining the coalition government.

But Nasheed rejected a U.S. call for compromise and dismissed proposals for a unity government to end political unrest.

He told supporters overnight in the capital Male that he would press for snap elections instead of recommending his party consider a coalition.

"We want an election and we will campaign for it," Nasheed told large, cheering crowds, who later dispersed peacefully.

The Maldives has been rocked by political turmoil since Nasheed resigned Tuesday and was replaced by Hassan, who had been his vice president. Nasheed claims he was ousted in a coup, a charge the new president denies.

A senior U.S. diplomat who met with Maldivian leaders on Saturday said the country wasn't ready for early elections as a way out of its political crisis.

"The police, election commission and judiciary are not sufficiently prepared to ensure free and fair elections," U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake said after talks in Male.