Preparations for the burial of those who died were taking place earlier on Sunday. The situation was reported to be calm but tense, according to local journalists.

The latest bout of Muslim-Christian violence began over a dispute about who would carry a torch during celebrations to honour a local hero.

Muslim and Christian homes were set on fire and cars were damaged during the violence.

Many have fled four months of unrest

The troops opened fired on clashing Muslims and Christian who began pelting them with stones and attacking security vehicles.

Torch sparks violence

The torch at the centre of the dispute commemorates a local hero, Pattimura, a Christian, who fought against Dutch colonial control after World War II.

Traditionally, the Muslim villagers of Batumerah carry the torch from Saparua island to neigbouring Ambon.

This year they were apparently ordered by the authorities to hand the torch on to villagers from neighbouring Mahardika, which is mainly Christian.

New security force

The torch ceremony was also being used this year to inaugurate a new security force, the Pattimura miliary command, which will oversee the Maluku province.

Previously Maluku was under the control of forces from the neighbouring province of Irian Jaya.

The dispute broke out only days after a peace deal agreed by the leaders of the two faiths and a few days before campaigning in Indonesia's national elections is due to start.

At least 200 people have been killed in religious violence in Ambon so far this year.

Thousands of buildings, including mosques and churches, have also been burnt.