Maldives' new president pledges support for an investigation into weeks of protests in the oceanic archipelago.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) NEW MALDIVIAN PRESIDENT MOHAMED WAHEED HUSSAIN MANIK SAYING:
"I have heard these calls for an independent inquiry into events that preceded my assumption of office and I am open to those suggestions, there is no problem with it. I will be completely impartial and I will encourage an independent investigation."
President Mohamed Waheed Hussain Manik also asked for calm to protect foreign investment after his predecessor, Mohamed Nasheed, resigned amid a police mutiny and growing protests.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) NEW MALDIVIAN PRESIDENT MOHAMED WAHEED HUSSAIN MANIK
"As for safety and security of foreign investment, I think we all have to work together for this, if you have some parties going around torching place and causing destruction, it's not going to happen and I am calling today for those kind of activities to cease."
His message comes just days after Nasheed supporters took to the streets, claiming he was forced out of office unfairly.
The growing unrest in the beach destination came from a long-standing rivalry between Nasheed and former President Maumon Abdul Gayoom.
But Nasheed isn't going down without a fight.
On Friday, the former president demanded new elections and vowed to amass protests.
He has some international support, with many Madivians in Sri Lanka behind his cause.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MEMBER OF THE SRI LANKA MUSLIM CONGRESS, SHAFEEK RAJABDEEN
"No military, no violence must take place. Therefore we would like to ask the acting President of Maldives Mr Waheed to conduct democratically a peaceful process without assaulting, killing or burning down the people of Maldives."
Nasheed, elected in 2008, resigned last week, saying he did not want to use force to stay in office.
Jessica Gray, Reuters
