Indonesia names new spy chief

The State Intelligence Agency has played a key anti-terror role

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has named a close ally as the country's new intelligence chief.

Major General Syamsir Siregar, who once served as head of military intelligence, will be inaugurated on Wednesday.

The State Intelligence Agency (Bin) he will head oversees military and police intelligence and has its own operatives.

Maj-Gen Siregar helped Mr Yudhoyono to election victory earlier this year.

Mr Siregar's predecessor, Hendropriyono, was close to former President Megawati Sukarnoputri, and left the post in October.

"This agency (Bin) is very important in the campaign against terrorism and needs a leader," military chief General Sutarto told reporters after meeting President Yudhoyono.

Indonesia has suffered three major terrorist attacks in the last three years, including the 2002 bomb attacks in Bali, and analysts say the agency has played a key role in the arrest of several people suspected of carrying them out.