Maldives' ex-president says was forced to resign

NEW DELHI: The Maldives' ex-president Mohamed Nasheed told Wednesday he had been forced to resign by armed police and army officers in a coup plot hatched with the knowledge of his successor.

Nasheed said he had gone to military headquarters on Tuesday where he found about 18 "middle-ranking" police and army officers in control.

"They told me if I didn't resign they would resort to use arms," he said. "I took it as a threat. I wanted to negotiate the lives of the people who were serving in my government."

He added that he feared his "vice president was in on it" referring to Mohamed Waheed, who was sworn in as head of state on Tuesday.

"I am afraid he's always entertained an idea to become the president. He's never been able to do that. When the opportunity was available to him, he took it," the 44-year-old said, speaking from a family property.

Waheed, a former UN worker and parliamentarian, denied any involvement in a "coup" on Wednesday and said he would ensure the rule of law is upheld. The army denies they toppled Nasheed.

Nasheed's resignation came after a small band of policemen mutinied on Tuesday morning and refused to obey an order to break up an anti-government protest where demonstrators were demanding the president step down.

The officers later took over state television. (AFP)