First Maldives president dies

(CNN) - Former Maldivian President Ibrahim Nasir, credited with ushering in independence to the island nation as prime minister, died Saturday, a former government spokesman confirmed.

Nasir, 82, died in Singapore after a long illness, said Mohamed Hussain Shareef.

Nasir had ruled Maldives as its first president between 1968 and 1978, after serving as prime minister. In the latter role, he helped Maldives - once a protectorate of the British government - declare its independence.

Nasir's successor, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, ruled for the next 30 years - becoming the longest-serving leader in Asia before he was unseated this year by a former political prisoner, Mohamed "Anni" Nasheed.

The Maldives is an archipelago of almost 1,200 coral islands located south-southwest of India.