Male, November 17
Abdulla Yameen was today sworn in as the sixth President of the Maldives after a shock run-off victory over favourite Mohammed Nasheed, ending nearly two years of political turmoil that plagued the nascent democracy and raised international concerns over the country's future. Yameen, the half-brother of former ruler Maumoon Abdul Gayoom -- an autocrat who ruled the scenic island nation with an iron hand for 30 years -- was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice Ahmad Faiz at a special session of Parliament. He was given a 21-gun salute. Mohammad Jameel was sworn in as vice-president.

Yameen, an economist and a candidate of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), clinched an unexpected victory in the presidential run-off yesterday by receiving 51.39 per cent of the votes over Opposition leader and former president Mohammed Nasheed, who garnered 48.61 per cent of the votes.

In his inaugural speech, Yameen said he will protect the gateway to Maldives, a popular tourist destination. "I shall strive to make the Maldives the safest and most developed nation in the region. We will maintain good neighbourly relations with countries in the region," he said.

Two former presidents -- Nasheed and Maumoon -- also attended the swearing in ceremony.

Sworn in as the second democratically elected president of the Maldives, Yameen (54) is a four-time member of the People's Majlis (Parliament) and was the presidential candidate of the Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM), which was formed after the Dhivehi Rayithunge Party (DRP) was split following an acrimonious falling out between Gayoom and his anointed successor, Ahmed Thasmeen Ali.

Yameen was born in Male on May 21, 1959. His father is Abdul Qayyoom Ibrahim, a former Attorney General. His elder brother Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom served as President of the Maldives between 1978 and 2008 and is considered a dictator by rights groups and opponents.

After completing his school education in the Maldives, Yameen studied in the American University of Beirut in Lebanon and got a Bachelors' degree in Business Administration. He later did his post-graduation in public policy from the Claremont Graduate University in California.

Yameen and his wife have three children. He had previously headed both the State Electric Company and the State Trading Organisation under Gayoom's administration.

Yameen - together with rival presidential candidate Gasim Ibrahim - were briefly arrested during Mohamed Nasheed's presidency in June 2010 on charges of bribery and attempting to topple the government. — PTI