Maldives leader throws in towel amid protests

In his resignation speech, Mr Nasheed said he did not want to run the country with an iron fist.

Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has resigned after weeks of demonstrations and a mutiny by some police officers.

In an address on state TV, he said it would be “better for the country in the current situation” if he stood down. Earlier, a group of mutinying police officers took control of the state broadcaster in the capital, Male.

Tensions escalated after the Maldives army arrested a senior judge last month, prompting bitter street protests in the Indian Ocean island chain.

Soldiers used tear gas to break up a demonstration by supporters of ex-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
Mr Nasheed announced his resignation during a televised news conference.

“It will be better for the country in the current situation if I resign. I don’t want to run the country with an iron fist. I am resigning,” Nasheed said.

He is expected to hand over power to Vice-President Muhammad Waheed Hassan.

Earlier, sources in the office of President Nasheed told the BBC a group of policemen had taken over the state broadcaster and began playing out messages in support of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Several journalists were said to be detained in the facility.

Sources in the office of Nasheed said Tuesday’s protest took place in front of military headquarters, a high-security zone.

On Monday, around 50 policemen stood down in favour of the protesters and refused to obey orders.

The president’s office denied reports that the army fired rubber bullets at the protesting police officers.