Maldives President declares state of emergency for a month

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Gayoom has declared a state of emergency, giving sweeping powers to security forces to arrest suspects ahead of a major anti-government protest rally. The presidential spokesman Muaz Ali tweeted on Wednesday saying Maldives had declared a state of emergency for a period of 30 days starting 12pm Wednesday. Gayoom said on Tuesday he would take all steps to ensure the safety of his people, a day after an explosive device was found near his official residence. In his speech to the nation he said an explosion last month on his speedboat was "an act of greed to attain power", an apparent reference to his vice president, who is being held for questioning over the alleged assassination attempt. Maldives has had a difficult transition to democracy since holding its first multiparty election in 2008, with the first democratically elected leader being jailed for 13 years under the country's terrorism law.