Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom escaped an attack unharmed Tuesday morning while inspecting a remote island in the tiny India Ocean country, said the president's office in a statement.

 

"An unidentified man attempted to attack the president with a knife earlier today... upon his arrival at Hoarafushi. The president escaped this serious attack without any harm," said the statement.

 

Gayoom thanked Mohamed Jaisham Ibrahim, a 15-year-old Boy Scout of Hoarafushi who saw the assailant's attempt and successfully deflected the attack.

 

Hoarafushi is one of the most populated islands in the northern Maldives with around 3,000 residents.

 

The president said that this incident did not deter his will to serve the people, adding that all such attempts to disrupt the peace of the country would not succeed and that their objectives cannot be achieved.

 

He also wished the boy, who was seriously injured in the incident, a speedy and full recovery, said the statement.

 

A spokesman from the Maldives Police Service said the attack, happened around 10:40 a.m. (0540 GMT), was carried out by 20-year-old Hoarafushi resident Mohamed Murshid using a sharp object.

 

"Investigation into the case is underway by Serious and Organized Crime Unit of Criminal Investigation Department of Maldives Police Service," said the spokesman, adding that the president is continuing his tour of the northern part of the country.

 

The incident happened as the country is facing its first-ever multi-party elections this year.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2008)