Appeal for calm after Indonesia bombs

President Wahid of Indonesia has appealed for calm, following a series of bomb attacks against Christians that killed at least fourteen people and wounded many others.

Mr Wahid said the attacks were meant to destabilise the government and stir up fear and panic.

The explosions were aimed at churches and other Christian sites across Indonesia, including the capital, Jakarta.

The national police chief General Suroyo Bimantoro said eighteen bombs had exploded and fifteen others had been defused.

A number of Muslim organisations have condemned the attacks.

Although no-one has admitted planting the bombs, a BBC correspondent in Jakarta says the concern now is that some Christian groups will retaliate against Muslims.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service