Maldives ready to extend Nasheed's prison leave

The Maldives said Friday it could extend the prison leave granted to former president MohamedNasheed to go to London for medical treatment after he hinted at delaying his return.

Nasheed, who is serving a 13-year jail term after being convicted on controversial terrorism-related charges, arrived in London last week.

He has hinted he may stay beyond the 30 days' leave the government granted him in a deal brokered by Sri Lanka, India and former colonial power Britain.

"Our belief is he would return. He is a man of great stature. I don't think there is a question of him not returning," the minister for legal affairs in the president's office Aishath Azima Shakoor told reporters in Colombo.

"If he requests an extension of medical leave, he will certainly get it."

Nasheed was accorded a red carpet welcome and received by Prime Minister David Cameron when he arrived in Britain last Thursday for spinal cord surgery.

The 48-year-old told reporters in London that he had not yet decided whether to return to theMaldives after his leave.

"I know the question you all want to ask is will I go back. This has been more eloquently answered by The Clash in 1982 when I was doing my A-Levels 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go?'" saidNasheed, who was educated in Britain.

"Let me be clear. I will go to the Maldives. I will definitely go to the Maldives, there is no doubt about that. But only the question is how and when."