8 February 2012 Last updated at 15:32

In pictures: Maldives 'coup' inflames tensions

Maldivian policemen chase supporters of Mohamed Nasheed

Violent clashes took place on Wednesday in the Maldives between supporters of former President Mohamed Nasheed - who says that he was forced to resign at gunpoint on Tuesday - and baton-wielding police.

Mohamed Nasheed (in yellow shirt) during Wednesday's rally in Male

Mr Nasheed, (wearing a yellow shirt) was the country's first democratically elected president. He said he was held at gunpoint during Tuesday's "coup". He demanded that his successor, Mohammed Hassan, should resign and promised to return to office.

Mr Hassan denies a coup has taken place or that there was a pre-arranged plan for him to stage a takeover. He said that his priority was to form a coalition to help build a stable and democratic country ahead of fresh presidential elections due next year.

In this handout photograph provided by Haveeru News Service, mutinying Maldives police are seen amid a cloud of tear gas as they confront the military in Male on 7 February 2012.

Weeks of demonstrations in the capital of the Maldives - the Indian Ocean island chain - reached a climax on Tuesday when a group of police staged a mutiny, prompting the resignation of President Nasheed.

Opposition supporters and Maldives police officers shout at the military during a protest in Male, Maldives, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012.

Opposition supporters have kept up the pressure since taking to the streets of Male last month to protest against the arrest of a senior judge accused by the government of political bias.

Maldives soldiers, left, are involved in a clash with police officers, right, in Male, Maldives, 07/02/2012.

The turning point came when a group of police joined protesters on Tuesday, even clashing with the military on the streets of the capital. Police later took control of the state broadcaster.

Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed's car is escorted to the President's Office by the military to give his resignation speech in Male 07/02/2012.

President Nasheed, a former political prisoner and human rights activist, came to power after the 2008 elections ended 30 years of autocratic rule by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Handout photograph provided by Haveeru News Service, showing Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed walking towards military HQ after meeting special police force members in Male 07/02/2012.

But the embattled president (centre, in white shirt) resigned amid conflicting reports over whether he was pressured to act by the military.

Handout photograph released by the Maldives Presidential Office 07/02/2012 shows Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed (R) announcing his resignation.

"It will be better for the country in the current situation if I resign. I don't want to run the country with an iron fist. I am resigning," Mr Nasheed said during a televised news conference.

Opposition supporters celebrate after the resignation of Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed in Male, 07/02/ 2012

There was jubilation among opposition supporters when news of President Nasheed's resignation came out, but it is unclear how most people in the Maldives feel about the latest dramatic turn of events.

Photo released by the Maldives President's Office of Mohammed Waheed Hassan, second left - who previously worked as a top Unicef official - being sworn in as new president.

Vice-President Waheed Hassan was sworn in as president shortly after Mr Nasheed stepped down.

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In pictures: Maldives 'coup' inflames tensions

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