UNITED NATIONS: UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Friday urged rival parties in the Maldives to cool rising tension and to resolve their differences through dialogue.

Ban, currently on a visit to Spain, "is concerned by rising political tension in the Maldives, which culminated in some violent demonstrations earlier this week," his press office said in a statement.

The UN secretary general appealed to "all political parties to restrain those who promote violence and confrontation, and to resolve their differences through dialogue."

He stressed that political rivalries should not be allowed "to jeopardize the significant gains the country has registered in democratic reform."

Ban also urged the government and all parties in the Indian Ocean archipelago "to ensure the rule of law is maintained, and to safeguard the rights and protections enshrined in the constitution."

A power struggle between Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed and the opposition-controlled parliament led to street protests earlier in the week, in which police said at least nine police officers and six civilians were hurt.

Street protests are rare in the Maldives, which is better known as an upmarket tourist destination.

Nasheed reappointed his 13-member cabinet last Tuesday, a week after they resigned en masse, alleging that parliament was stopping the government from functioning.

On Thursday, the main opposition Maldivian People`s Party (DRP) said the government had created a breakdown in law and order and that the nation of 330,000 Sunni Muslims was no longer safe and secure.

BDST: 0908 HRS, 17 July 2010