Maldives President resigns amid protest

Male: Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has resigned following weeks of public protests over his controversial order to arrest a senior judge, AP reported.

Brig. Ahmed Shiyam told reporters Tuesday that Nasheed has agreed to step down and hand over the presidency to his deputy Mohammed Waheed Hassan.

There was no immediate comment from Nasheed, a former pro-democracy campaigner.

Maldives soldiers on Tuesday fired rubber bullets and clashed with police officers who were defying a presidential order to end a protest against what they perceive as illegal orders by authorities.

Hundreds of police started demonstrating early Tuesday in the capital, Male, after officials ordered them to withdraw protection for government and opposition supporters protesting close to each other. The withdrawal resulted in a clash that injured at least three people.