A Maldives police officer, in blue, embraces a soldier who joins a protest in Male on Feb. 7, 2012. President Nasheed resigned after police joined the protesters and then clashed with soldiers amid protests over his controversial arrest of a top judge.
Mohamed Nasheed, centre, stands outside the military headquarters before announcing his resignation in Male, Maldives, on Feb. 7, 2012. The first democratically elected President of the island nation resigned after police joined the protesters and then clashed with soldiers amid protests over his controversial arrest of a top judge.
A Maldives soldier kicks a tear gas canister towards police during a clash in Male.
Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed announces his resignation in Male on Tuesday.
Maldives police officers throw tear gas canisters during a clash with the military in Male.
Opposition supporters celebrate after the resignation of Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed in Male.
Opposition supporters confront police as they protest against the arrest of Criminal Court Chief Justice Abdulla Mohamed in Male, Maldives, on Jan. 23, 2012.
Special Forces of Maldives Police stand guard at a protest in Male, Maldives in this Jan. 20, 2012 photo.
Maldives police officers assume taking an oath before joining a protest against the military in Male on Feb. 7, 2012.
An anti-government protester reacts against the illegitimate arrest of the chief justice of the country's criminal court, Judge Abdulla Mohamed in Male in this Jan. 17, 2012 picture.
Special Forces of the Maldives Police arrests lawmaker Ahmed Mahloof during a protest in Male on Jan. 20, 2012. The Maldives' vice president joined calls for the release of the detained senior judge, in a sign of divisions within the government of President Mohamed Nasheed.
Government supporters call for an independent judiciary in a protest in Male. The placards from left reads 'Dont mislead people in the name of religion', 'We can make verdicts as long as we have judges who have clear conscious', 'Protect judiciary' and 'We have been soft until now, but not anymore'.
Maldivian government supporters participate in a rally against what they call religious extremism in Male in this Dec. 23, 2011 photo.
