New Maldives leader vows stability after crisis, protests

By J.J. Robinson MALE (Reuters) - New Maldives President Abdulla Yameen pledged on Sunday to end two years of political turmoil that have brought violent protests to the holiday paradise, as he was sworn in after defeating the favorite Mohamed Nasheed in a run-off. The win was a victory for the political old guard, who rallied around Yameen to defeat Nasheed, the Maldives' first democratically elected leader who was forced to resign last year in what he said was a coup. "Rising out of political turmoil and establishing peace is a big responsibility as Maldives' president and head of state," Yameen said in his inaugural speech, after he was sworn in at a special session of parliament. Before his investiture, he also vowed to tackle the Indian Ocean nation's high levels of debt which leaves the Maldives vulnerable to external financial shocks.

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