Berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated the first democratically elected president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, hours after he was sworn in, and wished him luck Tuesday.

"The imposing task of continuing along the path to democracy and rule of law lies ahead of you," she said in the message.

Nasheed is taking over after three decades of rule by one of Asia's longest serving leaders, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Nasheed was a political prisoner for six years under the Gayoom regime. (dpa)