Global News Post: ma

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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">NEW DELHI (NNN-PTI/ANI) -- India on Tuesday said it was closely monitoring the "sudden turn of events" in Maldives, where the President resigned following series of protests, but termed it as "internal matter" which as of now needs no outside assistance and said its community there was safe. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">"We have noted the decision of President Mohamed Nasheed to resign in favour of Vice President Mohamed Waheed. This is an internal matter of the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region>, to be resolved by Maldivians. We hope that all issues will be resolved in a peaceful and democratic manner," official spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affair said here. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">India has traditionally enjoyed close ties of friendship and cooperation with the Maldives, he said, adding, "We remain committed to extending the fullest support and cooperation to the Maldivian government in its endeavour to promote peace and progress there and the prosperity and well being of its people. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">"We continue to closely monitor the situation in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region> and understand that the Indian expatriate community there is safe." There are about 30,000 Indians there. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Nasheed announced his resignation after weeks of public protests over his order to arrest a senior judge, who had ordered release of a government critic, and handed over the power to his Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Hoping that there will be "greater scope for stability" for the national government, led by Waheed and comprising nominees of both government and opposition, official sources said, "We hope that the worst is over. It is positive that there has been an amicable solution to the turmoil going on in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maldives</st1:place></st1:country-region>." <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The protests started in big way after Nasheed ordered the arrest of Criminal Court Chief Justice Abdulla Mohamed on Jan 15, accusing him of supporting Gayoom.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The arrest of the chief justice has given Gayoom a chance to come out of political wilderness.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The use of radical style of Islam by Nasheed's opponents has unnerved practitioners of traditionally moderate Maldivian Islam and could threaten the nation's new multi-party democratic set up.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Nasheed's Islamic credentials were attacked after the protests. The Dhivehi Quamee Party (DQP) accused Nasheed of attempting to undermine Islam by bringing in Christianity, establishing diplomatic relations and having direct flights from Israel, and of doing business with Jewish businessmen.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Before resigning, Nasheed made it clear in a televised address that his continuing in power would result in him having to use force against his people.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">"Citizens of Maldives, As I see it today, if I remain as the president any longer, there would be numerous repercussions and a lot of damage, for which reason I have resigned as President of Maldives as from today," he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Nasheed came to power in 2008, pledging to bring full democracy to the <st1:place w:st="on">Indian Ocean</st1:place> archipelago known for its luxury resorts. -- NNN-PTI/ANI<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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Closely Monitoring Events in Maldives: India

NEW DELHI (NNN-PTI/ANI) -- India on Tuesday said it was closely monitoring the "sudden turn of events" in Maldives, where the Pr...