Jakarta – Indonesian armed forces chief General Wiranto assured top opposition leaders Sunday the military would support any winner of a fair election and would not try to take over the government.

"In dealing with the upcoming elections, it will show neutrality. The armed forces stated that it will place itself in a position equidistant from all parties," he said. "We will not support any political parties or create a government."

Civilian representatives of the government of President B.J. Habibie were conspicuous by their absence from the meeting, called by Wiranto as the military tried to quell bloody riots in the country's east.

The general also said all participants at the meeting had agreed to pull together to save the nation. "Our sense of brotherhood is being tested. That's why in this meeting we agreed to end that.

"The armed forces will keep the elections fair and equal. Hence we can expect a successful election as it is the only entry point for the reform we have all been waiting for," Wiranto told journalists after the more than three-hour-long meeting at his offcial Jakarta residence.

Those attending the meeting with Wiranto at his invitation included respected Moslem moderate Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid and the Sultan of Yogyakarta, Hamengkubuwono X. Popular politician Megawati Sukarnoputri and several leading businessmen were also present, an AFP reporter said. Political party leader Amien Rais at first sent a message that he would not attend but later turned up.

"Amien Rais refuses to meet with Wiranto at this meeting. He would like to ask ... why the armed forces has not prosecuted the perpetrators of the riots," Bara Hasibuan, head of political affairs for Rais' National Awakening Party, told AFP before he appeared.

"All of us that met tonight have agreed to support the elections to take place successfully and securely," Wiranto said. "It was truly a meeting of minds that emphasized political nuances to find a way so that this country can stay united."

The June 7 polls will result in the election of a new parliament and the formation of a new People's Consultative Assembly which is due to select a new president before the end of 1999.

Gus Dur said after the meeting that the opposition leaders had been there to listen to Wiranto's commitment "that the armed forces will be more open with its statements in the future so that they could be more understandable."

"This is something that we have actually been waiting for, to hear the armed forces' commitment to support reform," he added.