Maldives lifts emergency rule, six days after its imposition

  Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen on Tuesday lifted the 30-day state of emergency, less than a week after its imposition saying there was progress by the police in investigating threats posed by missing weapons and explosives, news reports from there said. Attorney General Mohamed Anil was quoted as saying that the state of emergency had been lifted as of 5 pm on Tuesday. “Some people planning to use dangerous weapons and explosives have now been arrested,” he said, according to media reports. The government also wanted to minimise the adverse affects on the Maldivian economy and the vital tourism industry, Mr. Anil said. The island's tourism industry, its economic lifesaver, raised concernms about the situation and the impact on tourism while there was international pressure including from Sri Lanka to end emergency rule. Mr. Yameen ordered emergency rule last Wednesday, granting police sweeping powers to arrest suspects and carry out raids without court warrants, reports said. - ENDS-