September 01, 2008	Monday	Sha'aban 29, 1429

MALE, Aug 31: The environment minister of the Maldives quit on Sunday, becoming the 12th cabinet member to resign this year ahead of historic elections due in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation.

Environment Minister Ahmed Abdullah, the longest-serving cabinet member in President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s government, also quit the ruling party.

“I’ve resigned because I don’t agree with the government’s thinking, their beliefs and policies,” Abdullah said.—Reuters