US Indonesia warmth for Clinton

Hillary Clinton has called for a stronger US partnership with Indonesia

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has met Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and appeared on a TV chat show in Indonesia.

She promised greater US efforts to build peace in the Middle East, a top concern of many Muslims in Indonesia.

Her visit to Jakarta was filled with mutual admiration as she praised Indonesia's democracy and freedoms.

After Jakarta she headed to South Korea, amid rising tension on the Korean peninsula.

Ahead of her arrival in Seoul, North Korea issued a warning to Seoul that it was ready for "all-out confrontation" - the latest in a series of similar statements from Pyongyang.

Mrs Clinton's visit also comes amid speculation North Korea may be preparing to test-fire a long-range missile, something that the US secretary has said would be "extremely unhelpful".

Middle East pledge

Hillary Clinton began the day by appearing on a leading TV chat show in Jakarta, where she spoke of her favourite music - the Beatles and the Rolling Stones - and tackled world issues.

Asked about the recent conflict in the Middle East, she pledged greater US engagement.

"We felt like the United States had not been as active in trying to bring the parties together to resolve the conflict," she said.

"We're going to work very hard to resolve what has been such a painful and difficult conflict for so many years."

She also announced her intention to attend a donors' pledging conference for rebuilding Gaza, to be held in Egypt in early March.

Indonesia can be a good partner for the US in reaching out to the Muslim world Hassan Wirajuda Indonesian foreign minister

Many Indonesians have been deeply troubled by US policy in the Middle East and the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mrs Clinton had earlier praised Indonesia, where the majority of people profess a tolerant Islam, for achieving democracy, women's rights and religious freedom.

She also announced plans to re-start the Peace Corps programme of American volunteers to Indonesia, which had been stopped in the 1960s.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said Indonesia could perform a powerful bridging role.

"Indonesia can be a good partner for the US in reaching out to the Muslim world," he said.

Rising tensions

In Seoul, Hillary Clinton's attention is set to focus on security concerns and North Korea's nuclear programme.

South Korea wants the US to help restart stalled six-party talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.

The BBC's state department correspondent, Kim Ghattas, says that North Korea's sabre-rattling over the past few weeks is seen as an attempt to grab the attention of the Obama administration and improve its bargaining position when the talks eventually resume.

Mrs Clinton has warned North Korea against any provocative action and said Washington would be watching closely.