Up to a quarter of the province's population poured into Banda Aceh to demand an East Timor-style referendum on independence.

The rally started with the raising of a flag bearing the word 'Referendum' outside the city's Dutch-built mosque.

Aceh accuses Indonesia of human rights abuses and economic exploitation in the oil and gas rich province. At least 2,000 Acehnese are thought to have been killed during a prolonged military crackdown against the rebels.

The atmosphere was good natured. Drivers honked horns and children blew whistles in a festive procession, which stretched for several kilometres.

Achnese protesters also called for independence at a demonstration outside the United Nations office in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.