Nasheed stung by US nod

Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed voiced bitter disappointment Friday at the US decision to recognise his successor, who Nasheed suspects of conspiring in his removal from office.

"I am very unhappy," Nasheed told reporters as he returned to his family home in Male after Friday prayers.

Nasheed's efforts to force new President Mohamed Waheed to step down received a major blow Thursday when Washington announced it was conferring a stamp of legitimacy on Waheed's administration.

When asked if the US recognised the new government, US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland replied: "We do." "This is not being helpful. They should really look at what has happened," said Nasheed, who insists that his resignation on Tuesday was the result of a coup d'etat orchestrated by opposition leaders backed by the security forces.

He suggested the US move would only serve to inflame tensions in the Maldives, which was rocked by several days of violent protests following Nasheed's ouster.

Nasheed says Waheed, his former vice president, was aware of a conspiracy to force him from office. AFP