Churches hit by bomb blasts in Jakarta

Two churches in Indonesia have been hit by bomb blasts in the east of the capital, Jakarta.

Police blame unidentified forces wanting to disrupt impeachment proceedings against President Wahid.

The first blast tore through the Roman Catholic Santa Ana church as mass was being said before a congregation of about 800.

At least 14 worshippers were injured, said the parish priest, Father Suryanto. Two people have lost limbs.

Father Suryanto commented: "There was a loud explosion. People ran out in panic. There were clouds of thick smoke and things fell down from the roof.

Minutes later, a second bomb went off in an empty minibus parked outside a nearby Protestant church.

There were no injuries from that blast.

The explosions are the latest in a series to rock Jakarta and come at a time of heightened tensions as President Wahid fights to stay in office.

In the past two weeks, Jakarta has been hit by other bombings, including two street blasts from grenades thrown out of passing vehicles.