Jakarta – About 2,500 Acehnese Thursday forced their way into the parliament complex here to demand a referendum on self-determination in their province.

The protesters, wearing white headbands with the word "Referendum" in blue letters, made their way into the lobby of one of the main buildings in the complex, brushing aside attempts by the few security guards to stop them. "Settle Aceh with a referendum," said one poster carried by the protesters. Others read: "Referendum is the best solution for Aceh" and "The Aceh Nation is divorcing [Indonesia]."

The protesters, from the Acehnese Community of Java in support of a General Assembly of the Fighting People for an Aceh Referendum, waited in the lobby and for parliamentary leaders to convey their demand to them. They later planned to march to the main Istiqulal mosque for prayers.

In an open invitation, a copy of which was obtained by AFP, the organisation said the protesters were Acehnese from Jakarta and other towns and cities on Java island.

They said the rally was a peaceful action "to provide moral support to our brothers and sisters in Aceh," the country's westernmost province lying on the northern tip of Sumatra island.