Maldives’ would-be leader takes issue with president’s attack on Baird

The man who claims the presidency of the Maldives has expressed “regret” over the way his political opponent chastised Canada’s foreign affairs minister, John Baird, for his recent comments about domestic politics in the tiny island nation. A statement released Tuesday by the “Office of President Mohamed Nasheed,” right, called on the “current administration to refrain from acts that damage the long-standing friendship with the government and people of Canada.” A day earlier, current President Dr. Mohamed Waheed said he sent a letter to Stephen Harper complaining about “inappropriate and derogatory remarks” Mr. Baird made about the country at a Commonwealth meeting last month. The island held an election Sept. 7, but no candidate won the required 50% of the vote. Mr. Baird said he was troubled by the delay of a runoff election and feared it would “only lead to more instability.”