Officers of the Maldives National Defence Force have quelled a fire in a car parked near the national museum in capital city Malé.

The MNDF said moments ago that the incident was reported to them at about 20:50 and was quelled within just eight minutes.

While authorities are investigating the matter, the incident coincides with the allied opposition's rally in Malé calling for President Abdulla Yameen's resignation. 

Officers have used begun using pepper spray to disperse the gatherers.