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Muslims poised to attack Sulawesi Christians

Indonesia plans to send two and a half thousand troops and police to the island of Sulawesi where there are fears of renewed fighting between Muslims and Christians.

Mark Bowling reports the United Nations and church officials claim thousands of heavily armed Muslim fighters are preparing to attack more than 60 thousand Christian villagers:

"For the last month, the Christian town of Tentena has been under seige. Roadblocks manned by Muslim fighters have cut off food, medicine and fuel supplies. However, thousands of Christians who have fled outer lying villages have taken refuge there, they are now reported to be preparing for a big Muslim attack. A United Nations field team has reported a build-up of militant Muslim forces, about 7,000 fighters including members of the radical Laskar Jihad. Indonesia's security minister Bambang Yudiyono says four battalions of police and soldiers will be sent to central Sulawesi to deal with the mounting crisis while he will tour the region today.

4/12/01 12:37:50 | ABC Radio Australia News

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