Mohommad Wahid took office as the new President of the Maldives on Tuesday following the resignation of former President Mohamed Nasheed, spokesman for the Maldives opposition Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP) said.

The spokesman said that Wahid took office as the new president under the constitution of the country and will remain in power till the next election.

In a televised speech on Tuesday, Nasheed said that he had resigned following overnight violence and protests.

The protests began after Nasheed ordered the arrest of a top criminal court judge recently.

Violence broke out on Monday night as the army and police were deployed to break up protesters gathered at Republic Square.