President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, on Tuesday, has appointed former Chief of Defense Force, Lieutenant General (Retired) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef as a State Minister.

Latheef was appointed a State Minister at a Foreign Ministry. He was in attendance at meeting held on Monday between senior officials of the Foreign Ministry and the United States’ military for discussions regarding broader Maldives-US security partnership and cooperation.

Sun has learned that he was appointed to the post sometime last week. He is reportedly due to be appointed the Maldivian Ambassador to Türkiye.

Maldives has strengthened security cooperation with Türkiye since the current administration assumed office, with the island nation acquiring military drones from Türkiye to surveil its borders. Additionally, the government has also decided to establish a Maldivian embassy in Türkiye.

While Latheef has been appointed to a political post, his appointment has not been publicized on the President’s Office’s website so far.

As per the President’s Office’s website, there are six state ministers in Foreign Ministry at present, excluding Latheef. They receive a salary of MVR 47,000 per month with allowances.

Latheef honorably retired from Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) on April 18th after 39 years of service, after he turned 60, as required by the law.

Latheef who had been the Deputy Chief of Defense Force, was appointed Chief of Defense Force after President Muizzu assumed office.