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Australia offers intelligence help to attack-hit Indonesia

Xinhua, January 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Australian government has offered law enforcement and intelligence assistance to Indonesia following the deadly attacks in Jakarta Thursday, Australian Attorney-General George Brandis announced.

Brandis, in a statement released on Thursday evening, said he had contacted his Indonesian counterpart, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut B. Panjaitan, to convey Australia's support.

"The offer follows our recent meeting at the Inaugural Indonesia-Australia Ministerial Council on Law and Security in which we agreed to closer operational and technical counter terrorism cooperation," Brandis said.

Earlier on Thursday, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) issued a statement, condemning the attacks in Australia's northern neighbor.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has spoken to Indonesian Foreign Minister Marsudi and offered Australia's support that Indonesia may need to respond to these attacks.

Meanwhile, DFAT has warned Australian nationals to avoid the area of the Sarinah Mall on JL Thamrin in Central Jakarta, and follow the instructions of local authorities.

"The overall level of advice has not changed and we continue to advise Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia," DFAT said.

Indonesia, especially Bali, is a popular holiday destination for many Australians. Australia had suffered heavy losses in the terrorist attack in Bali in 2002, when 88 Australians were killed.

The two governments recently beefed up counter-terrorism operations, agreeing to co-host an international counter-terrorism summit aimed at preventing the funding of extremist organizations.

Australia also named Greg Moriaty, former ambassador to Indonesia and intelligence analyst, as Australia's first national counter-terrorism coordinator, overseeing the country's law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

At least seven people were killed, including five attackers, and 20 others injured in the suicide blasts in Jakarta on Thursday. Enditem