Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed resigns after protests

Feb 7, 2012, 13:04 GMT

Colombo - Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed resigned Tuesday after weeks of opposition protests.

Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan is to be sworn in later in the day.

Nasheed, 44, made a brief statement on Television Maldives: 'I resign because I am not a person who wishes to rule with the use of power,' the independent Minivan News website reported.

'I believe that if the government were to remain in power it would require the use force which would harm many citizens,' he said. I resign because I believe that if the government continues to stay in power, it is very likely that we may face foreign influences.'

Earlier Tuesday, a spokesman said the government was the target of an attempted coup by mutinying police and opposition supporters.

The president's office said in an earlier statement that the government 'together with all state institutions will work to ensure peace and stability in (the capital) Male,' and called on citizens to stay calm.

Hours before he announced his resignation, the opposition, backed by some sections of the police force and military, took over the state broadcaster.

Opposition supporters have called for the overthrow of the government, which they accuse of undermining democracy.

Protests have escalated in the South Asian country since the army in January arrested a senior judge accused of political bias and corruption.