Mohamed Nasheed

Nasheed sworn in as Maldives' new President

Mohamed NasheedMale, Nov 11 : Mohamed Nasheed, a former political prisoner who defeated Asia's longest-serving ruler Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, in the first multiparty election in the Maldives, today assumed the office of President of the Maldives

Nasheed, 41, took his oath of office in the presence of host of dignitaries, including Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari at a ceremony here.

Nasheed defeated Gayoom, who had led the nation for 30 years in a Presidential run-off on October 28.

New president for Maldives sworn in

Mohamed NasheedMale – The first democratically-elected president of the Maldives was sworn in Tuesday, bringing an end to the three-decade rule of one of Asia's longest serving leaders, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, officials in the capital Male said.

Mohamed Nasheed, 41, who was elected president in a run-off election on October 28, defeated Gayoom after obtaining 54 per cent of the valid votes.

The capital Male was decked with flags of the Maldivian Democratic Party headed by Nasheed as he took the oath of office in a ceremony televised live.