30 killed in Indonesian battles

AT LEAST 30 people, including two policemen, have been killed in Muslim-Christian battles in the eastern Indonesian city of Ambon.

Sigit Waluluyo, deputy district police chief, confirmed the death of the two paramilitary policemen who were shot in the head by snipers.

They had arrived only Monday in the riot-torn capital of Maluku province after the government rushed in hundreds of extra police and troops to deal with violence that flared Sunday during a parade by Christian separatists.