President of Maldives quits after weeks of protests

Sacramento Sun Tuesday 7th February, 2012

Maldives - President Mohamed Nasheed, Maldives' first democratically elected head of state, resigned Tuesday after weeks of public protests over his order to arrest a senior judge Abdulla Mohamed, who had ordered release of a government critic.

Announcing his resignation on a national television, Nasheed said, "I don't want to hurt any Maldivian. I feel my staying on in power will only increase the problems, and it will hurt our citizens. So the best option available to me is to step down."

"I resign because I believe that if the government continues to stay in power, it is very likely that we may face foreign influences."

Nasheed however did not clarify on the foreign influences.

Ahead of announcing his resignation, sources said Nasheed was taken from the presidential office to the police station and given the option of quitting or facing arrest.

Nasheed is said to be under police custody.

Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan has been sworn in as the new president.

In an address to the nation, the new president assured that rule of law had been fully established.

"I will not order the police, military or any person to do anything against the law....Everyone will have the protection of the constitution and laws," Waheed said.

Pledging to "work to restore peace and prosperity of the nation," Waheed urged all political parties, the military and citizens to "put aside personal hatreds".

Denying any military coup, the new president's secretary Ahmed Thoufeeq said, "It was the wish of the people."

Nasheed's family sources however fear there would be pressure on him and the family to leave the country.

Given his tough political career which includes several rounds of imprisonment, torture and criminal cases, there is little likelihood of Nasheed leaving the country.

A former human rights campaigner, Nasheed was elected as president in the country's first multi-party elections in 2008.

On the global arena, Nasheed has been campaigning for action to mitigate climate change which threatens the existence of his Indian Ocean archipelago nation of 300,000 people due to rise in sea level.

Hassan Saeed, leader of the DQP - a party in the opposition coalition, and an Indian diplomatic source in Colombo claimed Nasheed had sought India's help but had been denied the request.

In 1988, India had sent a battalion of soldiers to help foil a coup in Maldives.

A spokesman for India's Foreign Ministry, Syed Akbaruddin, said the rebellion was an internal matter for the Maldives "to be resolved by the Maldives".

Britain's Foreign Office said a team of diplomats would be reaching Maldives soon to take stock of the situation.

Expressing grave concern, the UK has urged all parties in Maldives to "find a peaceful way through these difficulties, in accordance with the Constitution".