Fresh call to end Indonesia protests

The protests have been largely peaceful but vocal

Indonesian Vice President Hamzah Haz has repeated calls for an end to anti-US protests, warning of an economic crisis if foreign investors were scared away.

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation and there have been near daily protests since the US and its allies launched air strikes on Afghanistan on 7 October.

If we can't get out of this crisis we will collapse

Hamzah Haz

Security forces have allowed the demonstrations to go ahead, but have occasionally used water cannon and tear gas to disperse the crowds.

The government has broadly supported the US but has urged restraint and expressed concern at possible civilian casualties. Mr Haz has also called on the US to stop the air strikes.

His latest comments came as police called in for questioning a hardline Islamic leader, Rizieq Shihab.

Rizieq Shihab, who leads the militant Front for the Defenders of Islam, has called for "sweeps" on westerners and threatened to expel Americans and Britons from the country.

'Poor country'

The threats have not been carried out, but Mr Haz, who leads the country's largest Muslim party, is concerned that tourism and foreign investment will decline. Some tourist operators have said they are on the brink of collapse, and the rupiah has weakened.

Hamzah Haz has called for the air strikes to stop

"Once again I appeal for an end to anti-US demonstrations because the aspirations of the Muslim community have been conveyed by the president," Mr Haz told a conference organised by a Muslim group.

"Our economy needs recovery. The gap between the rich and the poor is getting wider. There have been massive layoffs.

"We have become a poor country once again. If we can't get out of this crisis we will collapse."

It was his third such call in four days.

On Sunday, the Indonesian Foreign Minister Hasan Wirayuda warned that anti-US feeling in Muslim countries could become "explosive" if the military action was not resolved by the start of Ramadan.

Ramadan, which starts on or around 15 November, is the month-long period of fasting for Muslims around the world.

"For countries with large Muslim populations like Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh, prolonged military conflict in Afghanistan will have an effect of destabilising these countries," said Hasan Wirayuda.

On 14 October President Megawati Sukarnoputri broke her silence and criticised the US for the first time. She said no government had the right to attack another or seek to cleanse blood with blood.