Male - The former president of the Maldives, who says he was forced from power earlier this week in a coup, has demanded that his successor step down and that new elections be held in the Indian Ocean nation.
The next elections are scheduled for 2013.
Mohamed Nasheed made the announcement late Thursday after a court in the Maldives issued a warrant for his arrest. It came one day after his supporters clashed with security forces in the streets of Male, the capital, and burned down a string of police stations on remote islands.
He predicted that his Maldivian Democratic Party would emerge victorious in the elections.
The turmoil has left unclear the stability of the fledging Indian Ocean democracy.
Today : Sunday - May 27, 2012, 03:15pm (GMT+5.5)
