Bomb caused McDonald's blast

Explosions which killed three people at a McDonald's restaurant and a car dealership in Indonesia were caused by bombs.

Police are now investigating whether the blasts were linked to the Bali attacks in October which killed 200.

Detectives say the type of bomb used in Bali was different but they are not ruling out a link. So far 15 people are being held for questioning.

The bombs exploded on Thursday in the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar.

The national police chief said: "I'm investigating whether there is a connection between the Makassar bombs and other bombings including Bali."

The explosion at the McDonald's killed three and injured two, police said. About an hour later, a second explosion tore through a car dealership owned by Indonesian Welfare Minister Jusuf Kalla, damaging four cars but causing no injuries.

Police say black powder had been found at the scene of both blasts, suggesting that they were linked and that a low-intensity explosive was used.

Australian Federal Police General Manager of Operations Ben McDevitt said it was too early to say whether there was a connection with the Bali bombings. His agency is working with Indonesia in the Bali investigation.

"We have no confirmed link to the Bali bombings, although obviously we are keenly interested in any possible link," McDevitt said.

Bachtiar called the bombings the latest attempt to destabilise Indonesia, and vowed to find the culprits.