Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who has vowed to end the decades-long conflict in Aceh province, made his first visit there against a backdrop of continued violence.
The visit of just a few hours is the first by Yudhoyono since he took office last month after pledging to end the 28-year separatist conflict in the devoutly-Islamic province on the western tip of Sumatra island.
Yudhoyono, a former security minister, last year oversaw the launch of a major military crackdown against Aceh rebels which continues more than 18 months later.
But in September Yudhoyono said the military campaign alone would not solve the region's problems. "A solution to the Aceh problem must be comprehensive," he said at the time. "We will improve welfare and education so that they [separatist rebels] will return to the fold." He said he expected the conflict could be resolved within two or three years.
On Thursday, Information Minister Sofyan Jalil described Yudhoyono's visit, which took place under high security, as part of that comprehensive solution.
Four police helicopters escorted Yudhoyono's entourage past armoured vehicles which guarded strategic points along his route from the airport to the governor's residence.
Yudhoyono, who last week extended a state of emergency in Aceh for another six months and offered an amnesty to guerrillas willing to surrender, is scheduled to hold talks with Acehnese religious and community leaders.
Accompanied by chief security minister Widodo Adi Sucipto, top welfare minister Alwi Shihab and national police chief Da'i Bachtiar, the former general is also expected to attend Friday prayers at the capital's main Baiturrahman mosque. He was to return to Jakarta at 3pm.
Rights groups have said Yudhoyono faces a key test in his handling of the problem in Aceh, a province rich in resources but where poverty is widespread.
In a September report, the New York-based Human Rights Watch said electric shocks, cigarette burns, beatings and other tortures are routinely used by Indonesian security forces on detainees suspected of supporting armed Aceh rebels.
The watchdog's Asia division head, Brad Adams, said Yudhoyono's credentials as a reformer "can be judged by his willingness to take these allegations seriously." At about the same time, Amnesty International urged Yudhoyono to give top priority to ending human rights violations in the restive province of Aceh.
"This is the first test for Mr. Yudhoyono when he takes office and the steps he will take on the situation in Aceh will define his presidency," said T. Kumar, the rights group's Washington-based advocacy director for Asia and the Pacific.
At least 23 alleged Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels have died in clashes with soldiers since Sunday the military has said.
Under the emergency which replaced the martial law, civilian authorities can order press censorship, curfews and other restrictions.
The military says thousands of rebels have been killed, captured or have surrendered since the operation began. Human rights groups say many of the casualties have been civilians.