Maldives ex-leader Nasheed 'critical' after blast: hospital

Mali, Maldives: Maldives parliamentary speaker and former president Mohamed Nasheed was in a "critical condition" Friday after an assassination attempt, his hospital said after a series of surgeries.

The private ADK hospital said Nasheed, who was wounded in a bomb attack on Thursday night in Male, underwent life-saving surgery for injuries to his head, chest, abdomen and limbs.

"He remains in a critical condition in intensive care," the hospital said in its first major update on the 53-year-old pro-democracy politician, who is also known for his work battling climate change.