The Maldives home minister quit the government hours before Wednesday's cabinet reshuffle after coming under pressure over the jailing of President Abdulla Yameen's opponents in the politically troubled nation. Umar Naseer, who was in charge of police and was effectively Yameen's deputy, submitted his resignation to the president's office on Tuesday night.
"I thank HEP (his Excellency president) Yameen and others for all their support," Naseer said, announcing his resignation on Twitter. Observers say Naseer had recently fallen out with Yameen and he becomes the 11th minister to resign or be sacked since the hardline president came to power at a controversial election in 2013.