JAKARTA, Nov. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- The Indonesian government withdrew 2,052 non-organic forces from Aceh on Saturday following the handing over of some weapons from the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM).

    The withdrawal was part of the government's commitment to a peace pact signed on August 15 in Helsinki, Finland aimed at ending a three-decade armed conflict in the tsunami-hit province.

    A ceremony marking the troops departure from Aceh was held in Krueng Geukeuh, about 240 kilometers from the provincial capital of Banda Aceh. It was attended by Regional Military Commander Major General Supiadin, AMM officials, local officials and hundreds of local residents.

    The troops were the first of three batches to be returned to their bases from November 21 to 25, Antara news agency quoted Supiadin as saying.

    A total of 8,149 troops have so far been withdrawn from Aceh. The GAM meanwhile has handed over 705 weapons including 128 that had been rejected or considered below standard.

    The GAM has waged a guerrilla war since 1976, accusing Jakarta of exploiting the impoverished province's rich resources. More than 12,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since then.

    Over 220,000 people were killed in the province which was hit by the Dec. 26, tsunami last year. Enditem ¡¡