Asia-Pacific News

Maldives president resigns after protests

Feb 7, 2012, 13:09 GMT

In this handout photograph released by the Maldives Presidential Office on 7 February 2012 the president of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed. EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

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

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

'I resign because I am not a person who wishes to rule with the use of power,' Nasheed, 44, said on Television Maldives, according to the Minivan News website.

'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.'

An opposition spokesman said Waheed has the backing of opposition parties and that the situation would stabilize.

'The demonstrations by the opposition have ended and we expect the situation to return to normal', he said.

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

Demonstrators, backed by some police and soldiers, reportedly took over the state broadcaster.

Protests had escalated in the island nation since the army in January arrested a senior judge accused of political bias and corruption.

The Tourism Ministry said the unrest was limited to the island where the capital Male is located, and that tourists visit the city only when they book day trips there.

The international airport is on a neighbouring atoll from which tourists are taken directly to their resorts on other islands.

Prominent tour operator Inner Maldives said the industry had not been affected.

'However as a precaution we have advised the hotels in the islands not to bring in any tourists to Male today. This is just because it has been a hectic day in Male, but otherwise now the situation is under control,' a spokesman said.

Tourism is the main source of revenue for the Maldives.