MALE: Maldivian dissidents called for foreigners to boycott the tourism-dependent Indian Ocean archipelago whose capital is under emergency rule after pro-democracy rallies.

The dissident Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) accused President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who has ruled for 26 years in a one-party system, of ordering the arrest of some 300 suspected opponents.

"We are asking for a boycott of the Maldives," MDP spokesman Mohamed Latheef told reporters in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Monday (August 16).

"This is not something we have done before because 60 to 70 percent of the economy was linked to tourism."

He said earnings from tourism went to a handful of people who supported Gayoom, who is Asia's longest serving leader, while a majority of the people suffered.

"While you enjoy the beaches of the Maldives, don't forget that Gayoom is torturing his people," Latheef said.

He said the main businessman who owns a considerable number of resorts in the nation of 1,192 coral islands was under detention because Gayoom suspected him of backing dissidents.

Former tourism minister Ibrahim Zaki, who is a former secretary general of the seven nation South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, is also in detention.

Nirj Deva, a British member of the European parliament, threw his lot with the Maldivian dissidents by joining the press conference in Colombo and supporting the tourism boycott call.

"The truth is, far from being the majestic paradise promoted by scores of glossy brochures in travel agents up and down High Street across the United Kingdom, the Maldives is a land of torture, oppression and murder," he said.

Deva said the tourism industry was underpinning the "lavish lifestyle of the dictator Gayoom."

Maldives residents said the unrest had caused no disruption to tourism, which has been championed by Gayoom who transformed the country of 300,000 Sunni Muslims away from a fishing-based economy.

Holidaymakers who visit Maldives are usually ferried from the airport island to resorts by boat or seaplane without having to go through the capital island Male.

Dozens of people were injured Friday when police broke up a demonstration in Male demanding the release of political prisoners.

State television said a curfew which came into force after the violence would be delayed by two hours, and shops, offices and schools also opened Monday in a sign of a return to normality.

Scores of people suspected of being anti-government activists remained in custody. The authorities said 185 suspects were detained, but activists put the figure much higher with the MDP saying the number could be over 300.

Four dissidents wanted by the government were arrested overnight, residents said. However, there was no confirmation from the police or the National Security Service which is spearheading the crackdown.

The parliament announced overnight that its regular sittings would not be held and gave no reason for the indefinite postponement, but residents said at least five members of parliament had been arrested for supporting dissent.

Courtesy Agence France Presse