Indonesia rebels surrender first batch of weapons

Separatist rebels in Indonesia’s Aceh province handed over their first batch of weapons today, a key part of a recent peace deal that has brought hope to the tsunami-ravaged region.

Rebel commanders laid a grenade launcher and several bags containing automatic weapons on the ground at a park in the provincial capital, Banda Aceh. The handover was witnessed by international monitors overseeing the deal signed last month in Finland.