Male: Turmoil hit the tourist hotspot of Maldives on Tuesday after the man who symbolised democracy in the island nation, President Mohammed Nasheed, was toppled by a police loyal to the former dictator.
Protests had been growing against Nasheed ahead of the presidential elections, calling him anti-Islamist.
"I resign because I am not a person who wishes to rule with the use of power. I believe that if the government were to remain in power it would require the use of force which would harm many citizens. I resign because I believe that if the government continues to stay in power, it is very likely that we may face foreign influences," said Mohammed Nasheed.
Three years into his rule, Mohammad Nasheed was forced to resign on after rogue elements of the police joined opposition demonstrators and took over the state broadcaster, MNBC, renaming it TVM.
The army first clashed with the rebellious police, but then refused to intervene.
The opposition has been on the streets after the arrest of the chief judge of the criminal court in January, who has been facing numerous corruption allegations. The judge was appointed for life by former dictator Mamoon Abdul Gayoom, who ruled Maldives for 30 years.
Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan was sworn in as president shortly after Nasheed resigned. Waheed was openly meeting opposition leaders for the past few days. He hardly has any political base but is respected as an academic.
Sources in the country told CNN-IBN that Nasheed had to resign after the police threatened to arrest him. The opposition demonstration was led by religious extremists, the brother of the former dictator and one of the richest businessmen in the country.
Nasheed had faced strong criticism in recent months from opposition groups calling for Islam to play a greater role in the running of the country.
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