Indonesian Muslim group to expel Americans

JAKARTA, Oct 11 (Rreuters): Aa radical Indonesian Muslim Group said today it would hunt down Americans and Britons and expel them after the government failed to heed a deadline given to cut ties with Washington over air attacks on Afghanistan.

The Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) had given President Megawati Sukarnoputri until today to cut ties with the United States and its allies over the strikes.

"The decision today is that the FPI has a strong will to keep on conducting anti-US actions in all forms until the government cuts ties with the US," FPI Chief Muhammad Rizieq told Reuters.

"The sweeping (hunt) will be conducted as elegantly as it can.

We will approach foreigners...For Americans and Britons they will be warned in a nice way to leave Indonesia.

If necessary, we will take them to the airport." Rizieq insisted that other foreigners in Indonesia had nothing to fear, adding that FPI had no intention to attack Americans and Britons, although he said uneducated muslims might lash out physically.

FPI had also previously threatened to attack foreign assets in Indonesia.

Rizieq did not say if that threat remained.