JAKARTA The death toll in three days of violence which rocked the Indonesian capital rose to at least 263 on Friday, officials and witnesses said. A huge blaze which raged through the Yogya Department store in East Jakarta late Thursday claimed at least 170 lives, morgue officials said. In northern Tanjung Priok a separate department store blaze claimed the lives of at least 54 people, hospital officials said.

In Jatinegara, East Jakarta, one person was reported to have died when he apparently jumped from a burning plaza, and the death toll was expected to rise as rescue workers had yet to search the charred building. Across the city in the industrial area of Tangerang, West Jakarta, at least 20 people died in another shopping mall blaze some from broken bones after jumping from the top floor.

Some 15 people died earlier in the wave of rioting and looting, including six students shot dead by security forces at Trisakti University on Tuesday. Their deaths sparked an angry wave of riots as mobs rampaged through the city, leaving several dead including three soldiers. President Bill Clinton said Friday he was very concerned about the violence in Indonesia and called for the government to start a dialogue with all elements of society.

We are both very concerned about the situation in Indonesia ... the loss of life and other destructive developments are heartbreaking, Clinton said before going into a meeting with Japanese Premier Ryutaro Hashimoto. On whether President Suharto should stand down, Clinton said the Indonesian people have to decide but what is important is that the government find a way to open dialogue with all elements of society that will lead to a general sense of political reform and reconciliation.

(AFP)