BANDA ACEH: Hasan Tiro, the founder of the now disbanded Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist group will arrive in his homeland on Saturday for a second visit aimed to show his commitment to the 2005 peace pact.
The charismatic leader will meet with executives from the ruling Aceh Party, most of them former GAM members.
"There will be many things to discuss at the meeting," party spokesman Ligadinsyah said Friday.
"We don't know how long he'll be in Aceh, but it should be longer than his last trip here in 2008."
Tiro made a historic return to Aceh last year after decades of self-imposed exile to lead the rebellion against Jakarta rule.
Following the landmark peace deal in 2005, the GAM was dissolved and many of its members went on to establish the Aceh Party.
The party won the most votes in the provincial legislative election in 2009, securing almost half of the seats in the council.
The Aceh Party will deploy 300 men, some of whom have been trained in Libya, to provide security for Tiro during his stay in the province.
Ligadinsyah said the guards would work with the local police to maintain security during Tiro's visit. - JP
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