Former Maldives leader calls for successor to quit

By Krishan Francis

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, Feb. 8 2012 3:55 a.m. MST

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Maldivian army soldiers patrol in Male, Maldives, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. The Maldives new president called Wednesday for the formation of a national unity government in this Indian Ocean nation even as police and soldiers kept watch over his predecessor, Mohamed Nasheed, at an undisclosed location. Nasheed resigned Tuesday after police joined protesters against his rule.

Eranga Jayawardena, Associated Press

Summary

Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed said Wednesday he was forced from office in a coup and he demanded that his successor immediately resign.

MALE, Maldives — Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed said Wednesday he was forced from office in a coup and he demanded that his successor immediately resign.

Nasheed was greeted by roaring applause as he spoke to about 2,000 members of his party in the capital, Male, a day after he resigned when police joined widening street protests against his government.

He was replaced by his former vice president, Mohammed Waheed Hassan, who denied claims there was a plot to oust Nasheed and called Wednesday for the creation of a national unity government.

The Maldivian Democratic Party reaffirmed Nasheed's role as its leader and declared it would not join a coalition.

"I call on Mohammed Waheed to immediately resign from the presidency," he told his supporters.

He demanded the nation's top judge investigate those he says were responsible for his ouster.

"We will come to power again," he said. "We will never step back. I will not accept this coup and will bring justice to the Maldivians."

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