Updated

The government of the Maldives has said that an opposition-led protest has the potential to become "nasty" and vowed to break it up.

Organizers say a protest after Friday prayers in this Muslim nation will highlight the country's economic hardships allegedly after the government undertook some reforms proposed by International Monetary Fund.

The country's defense force says the demonstration will be broken up because it is organized at a high security area.

Protesters have taken to the streets for five consecutive nights over soaring prices and alleged mismanagement by the government.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Naseem told reporters in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, that the opposition is harming the economy.