New Maldives president in government-forming mode

Newly-elected Maldives President Abdulla Yameen lost no time in making a slew of appointments and holding talks with the opposition Maldives Democratic Party to end months of political infighting during a bitter election race.

Yameen made two new appointments Wednesday, media reports said.

Yameen has appointed former minister Mohamed Hussain Shareef as President's Office minister, Xinhua reported.

The president also appointed former minister Ahmed Mohamed as commissioner general of customs at the level of minister.

The letters of appointment were presented to Ahmed Mohamed and Mohamed Hussain Shareef at an event in the President's Office.

"Ahmed Mohamed and Mohamed Hussain Shareef both held cabinet seats during the former administration of President Mohammad Waheed," media outlet Sun said.

Yameen came to power after a prolonged and controversial election that spanned over three months and resulted in a constitutional crisis.

The political landscape in the Maldives has been on edge since former president Mohamed Nasheed was controversially ousted from power in February 2012 in what he alleged was a coup.