Indonesia's security forces put on a fresh show of force today as President Mr Abdurrahman Wahid and the country's top legislature headed for a potentially bloody showdown.
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A supporter of embattled President Abdurrahman Wahid wears a gas mask during a peaceful rally in Surabaya today
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About 6,000 police and soldiers were deployed at parliament on Tuesday amid growing fears that the showdown, which could come as early as Friday, could trigger protest violence. Thousands of troops were on high alert.
A police spokesman said security forces had plans to evacuate members of the supreme People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) if violence erupted during an impeachment hearing scheduled for August 1st.
Mr Wahid, who says he will not stand down, is threatening to declare a state of emergency, and assembly members are vowing to respond with an immediate impeachment hearing over his chaotic 21-month rule.
Wahid has threatened to declare a state of emergency at 6 p.m. on Friday and call an early election if his enemies push ahead with a special session of the MPR.
The reaction of Wahid's supporters, who number millions and could take to the streets, is a source of deep concern, however.