Australia warns of Jakarta bomb threat

CANBERRA - Australians in Jakarta have been warned to expect bomb attacks in the lobbies of hotels frequented by Westerners.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has issued a specific warning about such attacks following information from United States officials.

The US embassy reopened on Tuesday after closing for several days following an unspecified security threat.

Police in Jakarta have called on hotels to beef up security, but most already have tough checks in place following the car bombing in 2003 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta which killed 12 people.

"New information suggests extremists are planning to conduct bomb attacks targeting the lobbies of hotels frequented by Westerners in Jakarta to occur around noon on an unspecified date," the DFAT update says.

"The Jakarta Metropolitan Police (POLRI) issued a warning on 17 May 2005 about possible further suicide bombings in Jakarta which identifies as potential targets a number of other places frequented by foreigners, in particular embassies, international schools, office buildings and shopping malls.

"While no timeframes are indicated in this information, it reinforces our assessment that terrorists are in the very advanced stages of planning attacks.

"Attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Indonesia and could be directed at any locations known to be frequented by foreigners."

Non-essential travel to Indonesia should be deferred, the warning says.

- AAP