I resigned because the situation near President

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has said that he did not break the agreement to resign when he arrived at President’s Office, because the situation near the President’s Office was of more danger than that at MNDF Headquarters.

Nasheed gave a speech at Lonuziyaaraiy kolhu today as well, as he has been doing since his resignation on 7 February. He began today’s speech as every other one before, by saying that his resignation was forced. He went on to say that he proceeded with the agreement at the President’s Office because he had no other choice.

“I had no doubt in my heart; the situation at the President’s Office was more dangerous than that at MNDF Headquarters. I do not believe that I could have broken the agreement at the President’s Office. The situation was not fit for that,” Nasheed said.

Nasheed said that when he addressed the public in front of the media that day, his personality helped him in not revealing through the expression on his face that he was being forced to resign. He said that he did explain why he was resigning as much as the situation allowed.

“People ask me why none of this was visible on my face when I resigned - one reason behind this is that I was myself! I would like to ask you, have you ever seen me nervous?” Nasheed asked. “That is my personality. I am one who tries to present situations in a certain way, even if they have reached extreme critical levels.”

Nasheed has been insisting for the past month that he resigned under duress. However current President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik and his government claim that Nasheed is lying, and that his stories change all the time.