A Boy Scout saved the president of the Maldives from assassination yesterday when he grabbed an attacker's knife as he was about to strike.

Mohamed Jaisham Ibrahim, 15, suffered badly cut hands in the attack, but President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom escaped unharmed when the knifeman leapt from a crowd of well-wishers in Hoarafushi.

After the attack Mr Gayoom addressed the nation in a radio broadcast, thanking the teenager and calling for calm. The teenager, who had been waiting to welcome the president, was flown to Male for treatment.