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February 8th, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda
Pressure on Mr Nasheed has been building since mid January when he ordered the
arrest of a senior judge who resisted his attempts to reform the country’s
judiciary, which he suspected remained loyal to former Mr Gayoom.
Protests in the capital Male had remained relatively small until they were
joined by groups of police yesterday morning. They attacked the headquarters
of the Maldivian National Defence Force on the capital’s Republic Square but
stopped when up to 70 troops were allowed to join the rebel officers.
The protesters and police then seized the state broadcaster and renamed it TVM
– as it was known during Mr Gayoom’s time in office. Shows from a private
station owned by an anti-government MP were broadcast along with slogans in
support of the former president.
J.J Robinson, editor of the Maldives’ English language news service Minivan
said shortly after the state broadcaster was seized a government spokesmen
described the revolt as a “coup”.
The police and demonstrators then torched the headquarters of Mr Nasheed’s
Maldivian Democratic Party headquarters and just before 1pm he appeared at a
press conference to announce his resignation.
There were unconfirmed reports that several MDP figures and been severely
beaten and one senior leader had been stabbed.
“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 resign because I am not a person who wishes to rule with the use of
power. I believe that if the government were to remain in power, it would
require the use force which would harm many citizens,” he said.
His vice-president Mr Manik was later sworn in and denied he had come to power
in a coup. “It was not a coup at all, it was the wish of the people,”
his secretary, Ahmed Thoufeeg, told the AP news agency.
Earlier reports in Male claimed Mr Manik had met protest leaders two weeks
earlier at which they had pledged their support to him. He represents a
small party which joined Mr Nasheed’s coalition following his 2008 election
victory.
Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was concerned at
developments and that ministers would seek urgent meetings with Mr Nasheed,
his successor and the country’s opposition leader.
“The Maldives is a new democracy and we view these developments with
concern. We call on all groups and institutions in the Maldives to find a
peaceful way through these difficulties, in accordance with the Constitution,”
it said.
The 1200 tiny islands, 200 of which are inhabited, are increasingly regarded
as strategically important. Although they are primarily known for their
paradise beaches, they are close to busy shipping lanes and some of the
islands have been used by Somalian pirates. India has recently agreed plans
to increase security around the atolls.
Vikram Sood, former head of India’s intelligence agency, the Research and
Analysis Wing, said his ousting would be viewed with concern in New Delhi.
“Nasheed was one man who was very popular, very liked and made a lot of
sense. We don’t know what the next man will be like,” he said.
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