»Maldives declares state of emergency«

A state of emergency has been declared in the Maldives after security forces used tear gas to break up a demonstration for democratic reforms.

"It's over. The NSS (National Security Service) came and chased the people using tear gas and riot gear," a resident of the capital, Male, said.

Ibrahim Wahid, an Information Ministry spokesman, says a state of emergency has been declared.

Several thousand protesters have demonstrated in Male calling for political reform.

It is a rare show of dissent in the tiny island nation famed for its palm-fringed beach resorts.