Ambon – Muslims in the riot-hit Indonesian province of Maluku yesterday surrendered hundreds of weapons and explosives to the security authorities.

The Forum for Muslim Brotherhood of Maluku, which also includes members of the hardline Laskar Jihad Muslim militia, surrendered one cannon, 250 bombs, 100 petrol bombs, four army-issue firearms and 15 homemade guns, plus hundreds of rounds of ammunition, sabres and bayonets.

The weapons were handed over to Maluku military commander Mustopo by the Forum's chairman Muhammad Attamimi at a ceremony at a mosque in the Kebun Cengkeh Muslim quarter of Ambon.

"These weapons are only part of what we have, and the rest will be surrendered when the TNI and the national police have met their promises to comprehensively investigate the RMS," Mr Muhammad said, referring to the mainly Christian South Maluku Republic separatist movement. TNI is the Indonesian armed forces.

Brigadier-General Mustopo welcomed the weapons surrender and pledged that the military would support the government's move "to safeguard the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia", against any secession.

Laskar Jihad spokesman Abdul Hadi was quoted by Kompas newspaper to have said that his force would take part in the weapons surrender although he provided no details.

He said that the move was in response to a call by Vice-President Hamzah Haz. Mr Hamzah, who also chairs the largest Muslim party, this month visited detained Laskar Jihad commander Jafaar Umar Thalib, sparking strong criticism from politicians and parliamentarians.

An unidentified group attacked Christian villages south of Ambon on April 28, killing 13 people. The authorities accuse Jafaar of having incited the massacre during a sermon.

Mr Abdul said the weapons surrender was decided in view of the government's progress in meeting the militia's demand for an investigation into the mainly Christian Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM), which it accuses of fomenting the sectarian violence.