Male calm after days of clashes

Areas around the Maldives National Defence Force headquarters as well as the police headquarters witnessed normal activities.

Traffic was plying without disruption outside Majalis Maldivian Parliament as well as the new President Mohamed Waheed Hassan8217;s office. The scene outside 44-year-old Nasheed8217;s office was also normal.

According to Nasheed8217;s staff present at his house,the former President was awake till about 4 in the morning along with his aides.

Nasheed8217;s father,who too was present in the house,told ,8221;The situation continues to remain the same. There has been no change.8221;

However,he refused to speak further,saying he had stayed away from the government affairs.

Nasheed,who addresses a gathering every evening outside his house,yesterday led a massive rally of supporters in the capital after Friday prayers,where he demanded 59-year-old Hassan8217;s resignation to pave the way for fresh elections.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh8217;s special envoy G Ganapathi,who had met both Nahseed and Hassan yesterday,is also scheduled to hold talks with some other officials today. He is likely to fly back home this afternoon.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Robert Blake is scheduled to arrive here today and will be meeting both Nasheed and his successor Hassan.