Megawati gets down to business

Megawati began her first full day in office on Tuesday

The new Indonesian President, Megawati Sukarnoputri, has been holding crucial meetings with political and security leaders, one day after being sworn in as president.

Megawati has said she will form a cabinet within days.

One of the first people she met was the police chief, General Bimantoro, who consistently defied her predecessor Abdurrahman Wahid before his impeachment on Monday.

Wahid refuses to leave the presidential palace

President Megawati also discussed the election of a new vice president with parliamentary speaker Amien Rais - the main political driving force behind Mr Wahid's removal.

The meetings were held at Megawati's old office because Mr Wahid is still refusing to leave the presidential palace.

Trouble ahead?

Our correspondent in Jakarta says General Bimantoro will be keen to clarify his position to end weeks of uncertainty within the top ranks of the police force.

Likely VP contenders

Akbar Tandjung - head of Golkar party

Hamzah Haz - chairman United Development Party (PPP)

Yusril Ihza Mahendra - sacked justice minister

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono - Wahid's top security minister

The appointment of a new vice president is potentially controversial and could pose problems for Megawati.

Mr Rais has been quoted as saying the new president had expressed no preference for who should become her deputy, although she called for the vote to be carried out fairly and constitutionally.

The deadline for nominations is due by 2000 (1300GMT) on Tuesday.

Wahid unmoved

A spokesman for Mr Wahid said on Tuesday he remains convinced that legally and rightfully he is still the president but that he knows the political reality of the situation.

Wahid timeline

1 Feb: Parliament censures Wahid over alleged corruption

30 Apr: Second censure from parliament

28 May: Corruption charges dropped

30 May: Parliament votes to impeach Wahid for 'incompetence'

20 Jul: Early impeachment session called

23 July: MPs reject Wahid's declaration of state of emergency and sack him

Adhie Massardi told the AFP news agency: "He [Mr Wahid] really believes he has been wronged."

Senior government officials are reportedly keen to avoid a confrontation, preferring to try to coax the former leader out of the presidential palace.

Iniyah Wahid, the former leader's youngest daughter, said the family was preparing to leave the palace, but it was not clear whether Mr wahid was preparing to join them.

"We have packed our clothes, including father's," she said.

Mr Wahid has previously said he was prepared to stay in the presidential palace, even if his family left.

Unity call

Megawati faces pressing problems of ethnic and religious violence and an economic crisis.

Let us build our country together... let us erase all the fights among us which have only deepened the sorrow of the people

Megawati Sukarnoputri

Despite her political pedigree - she is the eldest daughter of founding president Sukarno - our correspondent says in the past she has shown a lack of political judgement and confidence at crucial moments.

Before coming to power she said little about what her political programme might be. But she is known as a vigorous opponent of independence movements within Indonesia and is regarded as a conservative.

The Indonesian rupiah rose sharply on Monday

After being sworn in on Monday, Megawati read out a seven-minute speech calling for unity, and for all political parties to accept the democratic process.

World leaders have welcomed her appointment, but have made clear the scale of the challenges she faces.

Foreign ministers from the regional 10-nation Asean organisation welcomed her election and said they hoped her presidency would herald improved political stability and faster economic recovery.

Sporadic violence

Mr Wahid - a nearly blind Muslim cleric - has repeatedly warned that the giant country could break apart if the assembly removed him from office.

Indonesia

World's largest Muslim state and fourth most populous nation

Huge archipelago of 13,000 islands

Racked by separatist and sectarian violence

Hit by severe economic crisis

He has strong support in East Java, which has seen sporadic violence in recent months. There are reports of some small demonstrations there.

There were two bomb attacks at churches in Jakarta on Sunday, which left 60 injured, but so far there have been no reports of violence or protests since the assembly's impeachment sessions began.

Moves to oust him began last year when he was linked to two corruption scandals, although police and prosecutors cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Megawati leads Indonesia's largest political party, but only controls a third of seats in parliament.