EU's Ashton worried about Maldives

(BRUSSELS) - EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton expressed "deep concern" Wednesday after former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed told AFP he had been forced to resign in a coup.

Ashton was "deeply concerned about developments in the Maldives," she said, "noting" the reasons given by Nasheed and stressing "the importance of respect for the constitution, the rule of law and human rights."

She urged the Maldives authorities "to guarantee the physical safety and the democratic rights of the people" while offering her help in ensuring an "inclusive dialogue."

Nasheed told AFP he had gone to military headquarters on Tuesday to be told "if I didn't resign they would resort to use arms," adding that he feared his "vice president was in on it" referring to Mohamed Waheed, who was sworn in as head of state on Tuesday.