New Maldives president 'silenced' as thousands of protestors block him from entering parliament building

By Mail Today Reporter

Protestors in the Maldives blocked the new President from entering parliament on Thursday, the latest salvo in a political crisis that has begun to hurt the Indian Ocean archipelago's reputation as a laidback luxury tourist paradise.



Thousands of supporters of ex-President Mohamed Nasheed, who says he was forced to resign last month under threats of violence, surrounded the People's Majlis, while legislators from his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) stopped proceedings inside.

New President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, who was due to address the opening session, was unable to enter despite the presence of scores of riot police and soldiers.



Supporters of Maldives former President Mohamed Nasheed shout slogans outside the parliament during a protest in Male

Maldivian policemen stand guard as a protestor shouts slogans during the rally

President Mohammed Waheed Hassan previously worked as a top UNICEF official

Nasheed, the islands' first democratically elected President, and his party say he was ousted in a bloodless coup on February 7 and that Waheed's government is illegitimate. They have vowed peaceful street protests until early elections are called.



Polls are due in November 2013. At least 34 protesters were arrested including, Nazim Sattar, Nasheed's younger brother while 14 police officers were injured in the clashes, the police said.



Some of the shops belonging to supporters of the current government were vandalised.



A motorcycle being driven by two police officers was also set ablaze after a group of protesters stopped the duo and assaulted them, sources said.



A day after his resignation on February 7, Nasheed alleged he was forced to resign and claimed there was a coup, a charge denied by the current regime.



The fresh protests erupted a day after Indian foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai ended his two-day visit during which he held talks with various stakeholders to hammer out a solution to the political crisis.

India had helped broker a deal with President Waheed agreeing to a roadmap for elections ahead of the scheduled November 2013 date.





