The president of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid, has welcomed comments by a senior American official, warning the Indonesian military not to stage a coup against the country's government.

The US ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke said last week that the military should not even contemplate a takeover.

Mr Wahid said he did not think an attempted coup was likely, but harsh action would be taken against anyone threatening the government.

The BBC's correspondent in Jakarta says rumours of a possible coup have been sweeping the capital for weeks.

He says President Wahid is trying to phase out the military's role in government and army commanders are also concerned about inquiries alleging human rights abuses by the military.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service