Indonesian dissent over air strikes

Hardliners resent the president's support for the US

Vice President Hamzah Haz of Indonesia has broken ranks with the government and called for a halt to US-led strikes in Afghanistan.

"I urge the United States to stop the attacks... If they don't, there will be more civilian casualties," Mr Haz said in remarks quoted by the state Antara news agency.

I urge the United States to stop the attacks in Indonesia. If they don't, there will be more civilian casualties

Vice President Hamzah Haz

He also said that the government had yet to see firm evidence implicating America's target, Osama Bin Laden, in the suicide plane attacks on the US, although American diplomats said Jakarta had been presented with such proof.

The comments appear to be at odds with those of President Megawati Sukarnoputri, who has sided with the US on military action.

There has been concern about civilian casualties in the air strikes in the world's largest Muslim nation, but Megawati is refusing to condemn the attacks and has promised only to "monitor the situation" in Afghanistan.

"We will continue to co-operate with the international community in handling this problem," she said on Friday.

Westerners targeted

Mr Haz's comments followed an attack on two German tourists mistaken for Americans on the Indonesian island of Lombok.

The two Germans were beaten and kicked in eastern Lombok, in what appears to be the first assault on foreigners since radical members of the Muslim community said they would target Westerners who failed to leave Indonesia.

Haz said he had not seen firm evidence implicating Bin Laden

A van carrying tourists was also targeted by protesters carrying stones in a separate incident on the island.

Radical Muslim group Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) said it would try to drive Americans and Britons from the country after the government ignored a deadline to cut ties with the United States over air attacks on Afghanistan.

The group gave the government three days until midnight on Wednesday to condemn the US or it would start "sweeping" for Westerners.

On Thursday the group said it would ask "in a nice way" for people to leave but FPI leader Muhammed Rizieq warned if they refused "anything could happen".

He said the group would target hotels and residential areas where many expatriates live.

While mainstream Muslims have not joined the protests, correspondents say Indonesian public opinion is unlikely to support a long conflict.