Washington – The United States said it was watching events in Indonesia closely as it faces a test to its democracy, and called on the country's leaders to solve its political crisis through peaceful, constitutional means.

US State Department spokesman Philip Reeker told reporters that Washington was "watching events in Indonesia very closely".

"The United States hopes to see Indonesia achieve a timely resolution of the political crisis, ideally in a way that promotes reconciliation and effective governance in Indonesia," Mr Reeker said.

"Whatever the outcome, we are prepared to support any resolution that can be achieved through peaceful and constitutional means." In a statement, the State Department said: "It is difficult to exaggerate the importance for Indonesia's future of avoiding violence or incitements to violence. We call upon its leaders to exercise statesmanship and restraint." Indonesian lawmakers have voted overwhelmingly to seek a special meeting of the National Assembly that could impeach President Abdurrahman Wahid.