US diplomats to leave Indonesia after threats

US embassy staff in Indonesia are preparing to leave after extremist Islamic groups threatened to attack Americans.

The Department of State has authorised the voluntary departure of all US Government personnel in non-emergency positions and their families.

Yesterday the department warned Americans to stay away from Indonesia, saying the terrorist attacks in Washington and New York had significantly raised safety concerns for US citizens.

It also advised Americans who remained in Indonesia to "exercise maximum caution".

There have already been daily demonstrations by small groups of Muslim militants in front of the embassy as well as outside the US Consulate in the port city of Surabaya in protest against possible military action against Afghanistan.

About 85% of Indonesia's 210 million people are Muslims. But the country has a secular government which adheres to a state philosophy proclaiming the equality of all religions.

The Indonesian Government, which strongly condemned the attacks on the US and pledged to support US counter-terrorism efforts, has vowed to protect all foreigners against a possible backlash.