Maldivian President vows to 'quit' if found to have role in coup

Male, June 9 (ANI): Maldivian President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has said that he would step down if an independent inquiry finds he had been part of any coup.

"If they [the commission] find out that I have had a role in bringing about a coup, then I will definitely resign," Manik said.

"But if I have no role - if somebody else has done it - it doesn't mean I have to resign, according to the law of the Maldives," he added.

According to The BBC, Manik refrained from commenting on what he would do in the latter case, saying he would seek 'legal guidance' after the findings.

Manik, the former vice-president, also defended not holding snap elections, saying parties were not ready for polls.

He stressed that the constitution did not allow polls until June 2013 at the earliest, and that he did not believe there was a need for elections any sooner.

"We have to consider the political situation. We have other political parties - big political parties - who are not ready for an election. I have to exercise my judgement - as leader of the country - to make sure we don't get into a worse political turmoil," Manik added. (ANI)