Maldives leader calls for unity

Supporters of the Maldives former president rioted through the streets today demanding he be reinstated as the country's new leader appealed for unity to end the months of political turmoil roiling this Indian Ocean island nation.

Mohamed Nasheed, the nation's first democratically elected president, said he had been forced to resign at gunpoint yesterday in what he termed a coup. He demanded his successor resign and he promised to fight to return to office.

"We will come to power again," Nasheed said. "We will never step back. I will not accept this coup and will bring justice to the Maldivians."

President Mohammed Waheed Hassan, the former vice president, took office yesterday when Nasheed resigned after police joined relentless street protests against his government.

Addressing a news conference today, Hassan denied claims there was a coup or a plot to oust Nasheed. He said he had not prepared to take over the country and he called for the creation of a unity coalition to help it recover.

"Together, I am confident, we'll be able to build a stable and democratic country," he said, adding that his government intended to respect the rule of law.

Later in the day, he appeared to be consolidating his power by appointing a new military chief and police commissioner.

Nasheed insisted he was pushed from power by the armed forces. "I was forced to resign with guns all around me. They told me, if I don't resign, they won't hesitate to use arms," he said.