New Maldive President Waheed Hassan denies coup

New Maldives President Mohammed Waheed Hassan has denied allegations of a coup, claiming he did not prearrange the removal of previous president Mohamed Nasheed.

Former president Mohamed Nasheed told the AFP news agency that he had been forced to resign by armed police, in an organised takeover planned by Mr. Hassan, on Tuesday.

Nasheed explained that a number of police and army officers had told him him to resign saying they would resort to arms: " I took it as a threat. I wanted to negotiate the lives of the people who were serving in my government."

New president Washeed Hassan criticised Nasheed of wrongfully arresting top judge Abdullah Mohamed last month.He said his main aim is to form a new coalition and to build a stabilised democratic country.