Indonesia has said it will delay the announcement of a new policy expected to call for tougher action against rebels in the troubled province of Aceh.

Both President Megawati Sukarnoputri and Security Minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono have hinted that a crackdown was imminent against guerrillas who have waged a 26-year battle for independence.

Mr Susilo has hinted at a crackdown

But Mr Susilo said the existing security decree will last until it expires on Saturday.

Also on Monday, Anthony Zinni, a high-profile retired American general, arrived in Aceh for three days of talks with officials and rebels.

Last week, President Megawati said "crushing the armed separatist movement" was needed to bring peace to Aceh where Jakarta has increased its military presence but where an average of 10 to 15 people continue to die every day in violence.

New moves - such as the imposition of a civilian emergency or martial law - had been expected to be announced for Aceh on Monday.

Decision pending

Those options are still on the table, but had not yet been discussed by the cabinet, Mr Susilo said.

He told reporters that the State Secretariat had taken the Aceh issue off the agenda, partly to allow debate on labour matters such as the return of thousands of migrant workers from Malaysia.

"Originally it was going to be discussed, however the State Secretariat feels there are other issues that are more important," he said.

The State Secretariat works with the president's office, and often plays a role in setting the agenda for cabinet meetings.

Last month, Mr Susilo visited Aceh - which is rich in oil and gas deposits - to talk to military and police chiefs there about how to stop the violence.

Envoy Mr Zinni will talk to those same officials as well as negotiators from the Free Aceh Movement (Gam) in his three-day visit.

Mr Zinni - a retired Marine general who has also tried to encourage peace between the Israelis and Palestinians - was accompanied by Andrew Marshall and David Gorman from the Henry Dunant Centre which had mediated talks between Jakarta and Gam.

An official from the Henry Dunant Centre said: "The purpose of General Zinni's visit is to see the real situation for himself."