Maldives" Former Leader Calls for Early Elections MALE, Maldives - The former president of the Maldives called on Friday for his successor to resign and for early elections to be held as a top United Nations official tried to broker an end to the political impasse that has gripped the Indian Ocean nation. Speaking to reporters after visiting a mosque for Friday prayers, Mohamed Nasheed repeated charges he leveled earlier this week that Mohammed Waheed Nassan participated in what he labeled a coup with mutinous security officers, backed by elements of the country's previous autocratic ruler. "It is obvious for everyone to see where he derives his power from," Mr. Nasheed said about Mr. Hassan, referring to Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ruled for 30 years before losing the country's first democratic presidential election in 2008. It will be very difficult to maintain the status quo. Political turmoil rose sharply on Tuesday when Mr. Nasheed abruptly resigned as president after months of protests against his rule. The following day, however, he said he was forced to resign at gunpoint, blaming his removal on allies of Mr. Gayoom. Mr. Hassan, the former vice president, was sworn in as president on Tuesday, and has denied involvement in or knowledge of a coup. Supporters of Mr. Nasheed clashed with the police on Wednesday as officers used tear gas and wooden batons to disperse the crowds. Police confirmed violence across other islands on Wednesday, including areas involved in the tourist trade, but on Friday, news reports indicated no new fresh incidents. On Thursday, the Criminal Court of the Maldives issued arrest warrants against Mr. Nasheed and the country's former defense minister. The specifics of the charges remained unclear on Friday, as Dunya Maumoon, the spokes an for Mr. Gayoom's Progressive Party of Maldives and the effective government spokesman, said Mr. Hassan had not made a decision. Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, the United Nations assistant secretary general for political affairs, was scheduled to meet on Friday with both Mr. Nasheed and Mr. Hassan. "In this atmosphere, it is very difficult for any meaningful and national form of discussion," Mr. Fernandez-Taranco said on Thursday upon his arrival in the country, The Associated Press reported. I therefore request all political actors to remain calm and prevent any type of violence. In New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he would send an envoy to Male to assess the situation there, The A.P. reported. An American envoy was scheduled to arrive in Male, the capital, on Saturday to assess the situation. Britain has issued a travel advisory discouraging tourists from going to the Maldives because of the current instability. Speaking in Washington on Thursday at a daily press briefing, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the United States considered Mr. Hassan's administration to be the legitimate government of the Maldives, and urged a peaceful resolution to the crisis. Mr. Nasheed has remained primarily inside his residence in Male since his departure from the presidency. On Friday, Mr. Nasheed, smiling and wearing a short-sleeve pale yellow shirt, walked into Male's biggest mosque surrounded by a small band of supporters and a security detail. Nearby, soldiers prevented worshipers from approaching the mosque on their motorcycles as they usually do. A large crowd of men and boys had gathered outside to listen to the sermon. A teacher said he was saddened by the reports of violence across the country during the past few days. The teacher, who did not want his name and affiliation to be revealed for fear of retaliation, said the clashes reminded him of the 30 years of single-party rule that ended in 2008 when ordinary people who dared to dabble in politics disappeared into police custody. "Brutality is returning and that brings out bad memories," the teacher said. Vikas Bajaj reported from Male, Maldives, and Kevin Drew from Hong Kong.