Maldives resignation its internal matter:India

India on Tuesday said the resignation of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed in favour of Vice President Dr. Mohamed Waheed is an internal matter of the archipelagic nation.

"This is an internal matter of the Maldives, to be resolved by Maldivians. We hope that all issues will be resolved in a peaceful and democratic manner," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

"India has traditionally enjoyed close ties of friendship and cooperation with the Maldives.

"We remain committed to extending the fullest support and cooperation to the Government of Maldives in its endeavour to promote peace and progress in the Maldives and the prosperity and well being of its people," an MEA spokesperson said.

"We continue to closely monitor the situation in the Maldives and understand that the Indian expatriate community there is safe," the spokesperson said.

Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed on Tuesday resigned after public protests disrupted the island nation for weeks over the President´s order to arrest a senior judge of the country, media reports said.

He announced his resignation in a TV address to the nation on Tuesday.

The nation witnessed violent street protests over the order given by Nasheed to arrest the chief judge of the Criminal Court, Abdulla Mohamed.

Earlier, a group of mutinying police officers had reportedly took control of the state broadcaster in Male, reports said.

Maldivian Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan is likely to become the President after Nasheed´s resignation, media reports said.

Nasheed had ordered to arrest Mohammed after had directed to release a government critic. He had called the arrest as illegal