M A I N   N E W S

Emergency declared in Maldives

Colombo, August 13
A state of emergency was declared in the Maldives today, an Information Ministry spokesman said, after the security forces used tear gas to break up a demonstration for democratic reforms.

‘’It’s over. The National Security Service came and chased the people using tear gas and riot gear,’’ said a resident of the capital Male.

Ibrahim Wahid, an information ministry spokesman, said a state of emergency had been declared.

Several thousand protesters had demonstrated in the Male today calling for political reform, in a rare show of dissent. — Reuters