2nd LD Writethru: Maldivian president ends state of emergency

MALE, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen on Thursday lifted the state of emergency after a period of 45 days, stating the situation in the island country has now returned to normal, the President's Office said in a statement.

"Upon the advice of the Security Services and in an effort to promote normalcy, the President has decided to lift the State of Emergency," President Yameen's office said.

The president's international spokesperson Ibrahim Shihab told Xinhua that the president had issued the order to lift the state of emergency on Thursday morning and all departments had been notified.

The state of emergency was declared by Yameen on Feb. 5 for a period of 15 days due to a threat to the national security following the Supreme Court's ruling on Feb. 1 ordering the release of detained opposition leaders including self-exiled former President Mohamed Nasheed.

The Maldivian parliament on Feb. 20 approved extending the state of emergency in the island by a further 30 days following a request by the president as the threat to the national security had not diminished following the Supreme Court's ruling.

During the 45-day state of emergency, the government said day-to-day activities of the citizens had not been affected and tourists could continue to visit the island nation. Enditem