Maldives declares state of emergency: official

The state of emergency has been declared for a period of 30 days starting 12 pm

Maldives

: Maldives President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, giving sweeping powers to security forces to arrest suspects ahead of a major anti-government protest rally, his spokesman said.

\"(The) Maldives declares state of emergency for a period of 30 days starting 12 pm (0700 GMT) Wednesday,\" the presidential spokesman Muaz Ali tweeted.