The Indonesian government, which has asked foreign militaries to leave tsunami-hit Aceh on March 26, said Wednesday it would welcome foreign troops to launch relief operations on Nias and Simeuleu islands following Monday's earthquake, which the United Nations says has claimed 518 lives so far.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda told reporters in capital Jakarta that a number of countries have offered their military forces to join relief mission in the affected areas and the government welcomed the offer.

He said the government would streamline procedures for the entry of foreign relief workers and supplies as it did in Aceh, which is still coping with the aftermath of the Dec. 26 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

UN Official Puts Confirmed Death Toll at 518, Warning Toll May Rise

The United Nations said Wednesday that at least 518 people have been so far confirmed dead when the 8.7-magnitude earthquake hit regions of northwestern Indonesia Monday night.

Masood Hyder, who is leading the UN relief operation in the tsunami-devastated city of Banda Aceh said a UN survey found the vast majority of deaths on the hardest-hit Nias island, where 500 died.

However, the number is expected to rise, Hyder said at a press conference in Banda Aceh called after UN workers had surveyed the areas hit by Monday night's quake. An unknown number of victims remain buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings on Nias.

Nine more people were confirmed dead on Simeulue island and nine on Sumatra island, Hyder said.

Singapore Offers Help in Relief And Rescure Efforts

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Wednesday sent a letter of condolences to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, in which Lee expressed his condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims of the disaster and offered Singapore's assistance with the relief and rescue efforts.

Singapore's Defense Ministry said that three C-130 transport planes deployed by the ministry arrived in Indonesia's Medan on Wednesday afternoon, with additional personnel and medical supplies onboard.

Meanwhile, another 15-member medical team also arrived in Pulau Nias to help the Indonesian authorities set up medical facilities, according to the ministry.

 On Tuesday, Singapore sent three Chinook helicopters with medical and rescue teams to the disaster-affected area, and a total of 77 personnel from Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) are working in Pulau Nias and Medan at present.

Australia lending Helping Hand

Australia began to send a navy ship and aircraft loaded with humanitarian aid and defense personnel on Wednesday to help with relief efforts in Indonesia.

Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill has confirmed that the HMAS Kanimbla, an Australian navy ship which had just completed its mission to tsunami-hit Aceh and is equipped with a mobile hospital and medical personnel, left Singapore on Wednesday morning to help with the medical emergency.

Two aircraft were already on their way to the Indonesian capital of Jakarta. The first C-130 Hercules aircraft with about 20 Australian Defense Force (ADF) personnel aboard left Richmond air base, west of Sydney, on Wednesday morning.

The second ADF Hercules loaded with tons of humanitarian aid also took off from Sydney later on Wednesday.

Australian air force Group Captain John Oddie said the two aircraft, with more than 60 rescue and medical personnel and 10 tons of water and medical supplies on board, are expected to arrive in Jakarta on Wednesday evening.

The first aid delivery would go to the town of Sibolga on Sumatra's west coast Thursday.

Hill said the Australian government planned to send a third C-130 Hercules aircraft with medical crew and supplies on board in the next few days to Jakarta for deployment by Indonesian authorities.

He said all these may not be the only defense resources sent to the region.

Earlier in the day, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the government will decide what to do next on the basis of a five-member advance aid team's assessment of the situation on the most-ravaged Indonesian island of Nias.
 
(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2005)