Political crisis

Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and another judge, Ali Hameed, were arrested hours after the government declared a state of emergency.

No details were given about the investigation or any charges.

The turmoil began when President Abdulla Yameen refused to obey a court order to release political dissidents.

The opposition have called the government moves a "purge" and there has been international condemnation.

Maldives is a nation is made up of 26 coral atolls and 1,192 individual islands, and tourism is a vital part of its economy.

President Nicolas Maduro is attending the talks, which are being supervised by a Vatican envoy and other mediators.

The opposition is demanding a referendum be allowed to take place on whether Mr Maduro should step down.

For its part the government wants the opposition to renounce violence and reject right-wing economic policies.

The meeting, at a museum in the west of the capital, Caracas, follows a general strike and huge opposition rallies.