Showdown looms for Indonesian leader

Wahid's supporters poured onto the streets of Jakarta

The Indonesian parliament is heading for a confrontation with President Abdurrahman Wahid, as it decides whether to push for his impeachment.

As thousands of Mr Wahid's supporters marched on the parliament building in Jakarta on Wednesday, the country's two main parties called for him to face an impeachment hearing.

Security forces are on alert to block any attempt to storm the parliament building.

Wahid has threatened to impose a state of emergency

In a letter read out at the parliament session, Mr Wahid strongly denied the allegations of corruption and incompetence made against him.

MPs are expected to vote overwhelmingly in favour of holding an impeachment hearing in the upper house as soon as possible.

Just a few hundred metres from the parliament building Mr Wahid on Wednesday opened a poorly attended summit of developing nations - the G-15 gathering.

Pro-Wahid demonstrations

It is estimated that up to 10,000 of Mr Wahid's supporters are now in Jakarta to stage demonstrations and are threatening a bloodbath.

A majority of MPs want Megawati to become president

Troop reinforcements have been parachuted into East Java, Mr Wahid's home province. The move came after troops fired shots in the air to disperse hundreds of his supporters in the town of Pasuruan.

There were also large pro-Wahid demonstrations in Situbondo, east of Pasuruan.

Vice-President Megawati Sukarnoputri would automatically take over from Mr Wahid if he was voted out of office.

Wahid response

Indonesia's two main parties - Ms Megawati's PDI-P and the former ruling Golkar party - on Wednesday called for Mr Wahid to face an impeachment hearing.

Earlier the attorney-general cleared Mr Wahid of any wrongdoing over the two financial scandals which prompted the initial calls for his impeachment.

But MP Mudahan Hasdi said Mr Wahid's letter would do little to redeem the president's image in parliament.

He previously snubbed the legislature by saying he would not respond to the second censure motion, as required by parliament, angering MPs.

Wahid 'confused'

In his letter on Wednesday, he said he had not replied earlier because he was confused about the accusations against him.

Megawati's party wants Wahid to face an impeachment hearing

Under the constitution, there should be a two-month delay before the special session of the upper house is held.

But it is possible the whole process will be speeded up to avoid prolonging the uncertainty which is paralysing the country.

The president had been trying to win over Mrs Megawati with a last-minute offer of a power-sharing deal, but it seems she has rejected it.

A senior party official said it was now impossible for any compromise to be reached with the president before the impeachment hearing begins in two months' time.

Mr Wahid has threatened to declare a state of emergency so he can dissolve parliament, but senior government ministers, as well as the security forces, have refused to support such a move.

Rampage

Mr Wahid's supporters have vowed to stop attempts to remove him from power by any means. They say Mr Wahid is innocent of the allegations of corruption made against him.

Already there have been two days of violence in East Java. Buildings belonging to opposition organisations have been attacked and even churches set on fire.

The police and military have launched a massive security operation to protect the parliament building and other key areas of Jakarta.

They have fired warning shots on several occasions to disperse the crowds.