JOHANNESBURG, March 29 (Xinhuanet) -- South African President Thabo Mbeki on Tuesday extended South Africa's condolences to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono after a huge earthquake that struck off the coast of Sumatra.

    "Please rest assured that the thoughts and prayers of the government and peoples of South Africa are with your government, the peoples of Indonesia and in particular bereaved families during these trying times," the message said.

    "South Africa stands ready to assist the government and peoplesof Indonesia in whatever manner it can and within the limited resources at its disposal."

    Chief Harbor Master Eddie Bremner said the National Ports Authority was monitoring ports in South Africa for indications of tide rises.

    A quake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale struck off the west coast of Sumatra, 320 km south of the epicenter of the December 26quake that caused a tsunami which killed an estimated 273,000 people.

    Reports of deaths and injuries have been received from the nearby islands of Nias and Simeulue and countries as far afield asMadagascar have issued tsunami warnings, although the likelihood appears to have subsided. Enditem