WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States welcomed on Thursday the arrest of 12 people in Indonesia over the murdering of two American teachers in 2002.

    State Department spokesman Sean McCormack, at a news briefing, said that the United States "welcomes the arrest" by Indonesian National Police of Free Papua Movement (OPM) separatist group leader Anthonius Wamang and 11 other rebels over the killings.

    "Seeking justice for this crime remains a priority for the United States, and we are pleased that the Indonesian government also recognizes the importance of this case," McCormack said.

    Wamang was indicted by a US district court in 2004 for the August 31, 2002 killing of the two American teachers in Timika, Indonesia. An Indonesian who was with the American teachers was also killed when their vehicle was fired on.

    The OPM has been fighting a guerrilla war since 1963 against the Indonesian government. Enditem