Security forces told to shoot rioters

Indonesian security forces have been ordered to shoot rioters on sight during next week's meeting of the country's highest legislative body, news reports said on Saturday.

At least 30,000 police and soldiers will be deployed around the capital Jakarta when the annual meeting of the People's Consultative Council starts on Monday, The Indonesian Observer newspaper reported.

''I have ordered all police officers to crack down against rioters,'' said General Nurfaizi of the Jakarta police. ''I have told them they must not hesitate to take firm action if necessary,'' said General Nurfaizi, who like many Indonesians uses one name.

Several local newspapers quoted General Nurfaizi as saying that he had orderednecessary,'' said General Nurfaizi, who like many Indonesians uses one name.

Several local newspapers quoted General Nurfaizi as saying that he had ordered security forces to shoot violent troublemakers on sight.

President Abdurrahman Wahid is scheduled to present a state-of-the-nation speech to the legislature on Monday.

There are fears that infighting among political rivals during the session could lead to demonstrations and riots on Jakarta's streets by supporters of the various political parties.

Meanwhile, police bomb squad officers on Saturday removed a suspicious item found in the grounds of the US embassy in Jakarta.

Police Colonel Adje Rustamadja said embassy security guards discovered ''a small bottle'' inside the mission's fence line. He gave no further details.

The embassy was not evacuated.

An embassy spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

Saturday's incident came only four days after a bomb exploded in front of the Philippine ambassador's house in downtown Jakarta, killing two people and injuring dozens, including the ambassador.