Maldives govt declares 15-day state of emergency

China advises holidaymakers against visiting the archipelago

MALE, Maldives - The Maldives on Tuesday sought to reassure tourists they would be safe as several countries warned their citizens to steer clear of the troubled honeymoon islands amid a spiraling political crisis.

The Maldives embassy in China said the country would ensure the safety of all citizens and tourists.

India and China advised their holidaymakers against visiting the tropical archipelago after a state of emergency was declared by the government of President Abdulla Yameen.

Tourism is a key earner for the Maldives but a dramatic confrontation between Yameen and the security forces against the Supreme Court has further eroded its reputation as an idyllic atoll nation.

Government spokesman Ibrahim Hussain Shihab said no curfew had been declared and the safety of tourists in the upmarket holiday paradise was assured.

The government would "facilitate calm at a time of national difficulty", he added.

China - the No 1 source of tourists for the Maldives - has urged its citizens against visiting the Indian Ocean nation.

The warning from China's Foreign Ministry came ahead of the Spring Festival - the peak period for Chinese tourists to visit the Maldives.

"Given the security situation there, we advise the Chinese tourists who are now in the Maldives to closely follow the security situation and enhance self-protection," Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.

"In the meanwhile, Chinese citizens are advised to avoid going to the Maldives until the situation on the ground is stabilized."

India and France and other European nations also advised their citizens against nonessential travel.

The United States advised caution, warning of further protests in coming days across the capital Male "in response to emerging political developments".

"You should avoid areas of demonstrations and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations," the US embassy in Colombo said in its travel advice on Tuesday.

Latest escalation

In the latest escalation of the crisis, police clashed with opposition supporters outside the Supreme Court as troops stormed the building to arrest the chief justice and another judge at dawn on Tuesday.

Hours earlier, they had arrested the country's former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom after accusing him of orchestrating attempts to topple his estranged half brother Yameen.

Yameen has refused to comply with a Supreme Court order to release political prisoners, calling the order a "coup".

The president's main rival urged people not to obey what he called an "unlawful order".

"This declaration is unconstitutional and illegal," said former president Mohamed Nasheed in a statement. He now lives in exile and one of the opposition leaders that the court ordered freed.

The airport is a short boat journey from the capital and many visitors are whisked away to resorts on remote, serene islands spread 800 kilometers across the equator.

Nearly 1.4 million foreigners visiting the Maldives last year, up from 1.28 million the previous year.

Afp - China Daily - Xinhua - Ap

(China Daily 02/07/2018 page12)