The Maldives has left the Commonwealth, claiming it was "unfairly and unjustly" treated by the global body that was due to consider sanctions - including suspension - against the nation after its "lack of progress" on a raft of democratic reforms.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Scotland said she and the family of nations were saddened and disappointed by the decision, but hoped the move would be only a "temporary separation".

The islands have been in political turmoil since its first democratically-elected leader Mohamed Nasheed resigned in 2012 - the outsted leader claims he was deposed at gunpoint.

In the years that followed, the authorities in the Maldives have been accused of a string of political and democratic violations.