Jakarta – Families of Indonesian veterans of East Timor protested at the Australian embassy here on Saturday, burning an effigy representing Australian soldiers.

The some 200 protestors, mostly children of the veterans, wearing army fatigues, lashed out at Australian troops in the Australian-led International Force for East Timor (Interfet) over the latest clashes in the territory that left two pro-Indonesia militia killed.

They burned a cloth effigy sporting the name Interfet and slogans such as "Agressors of East Timor", "Stupid soldiers" and "Australian troops". The effigy stood on two tyres which caught fire, sending up a column of acrid smoke.

"General Cosgrove, widowmaker," said one of the posters carried by the protestors, referring to the Interfet commander. Another said "Australian Army, have you ordered your body bags?"

Some of the protestors also attempted to climb the high steel fence of the embassy, but some 100 police and auxiliary forces guarding the embassy made no attempt at stopping them. The embassy was closed for business Saturday.

It was the latest anti-Australia demonstration at the embassy which has almost seen daily protests including flag burnings in the past weeks.

The embassy was once pelted with stones and fuel bombs while unidentified gunmen have shot three times at the mission this month. The Australian International School in Jakarta was attacked Monday with fuel bombs hurled by unknown men.

Potests have also been held at Australian consulates in several other towns, forcing the closure of two of them.

Anti-Australian sentiment has been on the rise following Canberra's sharply critical stance on Indonesia's handling of the violence in East Timor and its pressure to push for an international peacekeeping force there.