Violence rages in Moluccas

Tension is high in Ambon

Rioting mobs in Indonesia's Moluccan Islands have torched a church as fighting between Muslims and Christians rages for a third day.

Details of casualties from the latest clashes are unclear, but some reports said the death toll for the three days was more than 30.

Muslim crowds also set fire to a large number of homes in the provincial capital, Ambon, on Thursday, according to reports.

It is feared the violence has been fuelled by the recent arrival of hardline Muslims who have declared what they call a "holy war" against Christians.

The latest fighting is the worst in several months.

Explosions

The state Antara news agency said hundreds of men in Islamic dress had attacked and burned homes in the Ahuru Karang Panjang area of Ambon.

One resident told Antara: "They have been burning dozens of houses in the Ahuru area."

Sounds of grenade and home-made bomb explosions could be heard, the agency added.

More than 20 people were killed and at least 50 injured in fighting on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Reports said most of the victims were shot by security forces who opened fire to disperse rioters. Most of the dead were Muslims.

Thousands have died in religious violence in the Moluccas since January 1999.

The authorities say as many as 2,000 members of the radical Muslim organisation, Lashkar Jihad, have now arrived in the Moluccan Islands ready to fight a holy war.