Maldives President Mohammad Nasheed resigned Tuesday after weeks of opposition protests. Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan is to be sworn in later in the day, according to a report of the German Press Agency "DPA" dispatched from Colombo. Nasheed, 44, made a brief statement on Television Maldives: "I resign because I am not a person who wishes to rule with the use of power," DPA quoted the independent Minivan News website as reporting. "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." Earlier Tuesday, a spokesman said the government was the target of an attempted coup by mutinying police and opposition supporters. The president's office said in an earlier statement that the government "together with all state institutions will work to ensure peace and stability in (the capital) Male," and called on citizens to stay calm. Hours before he announced his resignation, the opposition, backed by some sections of the police force and military, took over the state broadcaster.
