Maldives President Was Forced at Gunpoint to Resign

Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed, who resigned yesterday, has said that he was forced to resign "at gunpoint" by police and army officers in a coup. He said the move was planned with the knowledge of vice president Mohammed Waheed Hassan who has replaced him.

Mr Nasheed resigned after some security officials joined opposition protests over the removal of a top judge. Mr Hassan denies a coup took place or that there was a pre-arranged plan for him to stage a takeover. Hundreds of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supporters, led by Mr Nasheed, have marched through the streets of Male in protest at his ousting. It is reported, there were angry scuffles with the police, but for the most part the security forces were conspicuous by their absence.