BRITISH Airways was last night standing by to lay on extra flights as the Foreign Office urged Britons to flee Indonesia.
A warning was also issued against travelling to the area.
There is now a huge exodus of foreigners from the riot-torn country after the return of President Suharto failed to bring calm to the capital, Jakarta.
The Government has urged British citizens caught up in the violence to join them. Others among the estimated 7000 Britons in the country were being advised to stay indoors and keep in touch with the British Embassy.
British firms are also pulling out staff or shutting down offices.
Rioting spread to many parts of Indonesia, and the charred bodies of more than 200 looters at two burned-out shopping centres were a sign that time may be running out for the 76-year-old leader.
Early yesterday, tour operators said holidays to the island of Bali, the small tourist resort off the main Indonesian island of Java, were still going ahead as planned after reports it remained ''relatively calm''
A Foreign Office spokesman said last night: ''We are not advising against travelling to Bali. However, tourists should keep appraised of developments.''
The Foreign Office changed its earlier advice for travel to Indonesia after foreign firms and countries including the US, Australia and France urged thousands of their nationals to escape the rioting against Suharto's strong-arm rule.
The calls to leave immediately sparked a stampede of foreigners to Jakarta's two airports to claim the limited number of aircraft seats. The Americans chartered two airliners to help with the evacuation.
Britain's ambassador in Jakarta, Mr Robin Christopher, said the situation was slightly quieter than on Thursday, but he stressed that ''the trouble isn't over yet.''
He told BBC Radio 4's PM programme: ''We have asked British Airways if they would put on some additional flights from Jakarta for any UK or European visitors who would like to leave.
''At this stage we are recommending that people who are living in the areas affected should now consider leaving the country.''
He added: ''We have had a lot of inquiries from people expressing anxiety and concern from all over the country and in Jakarta, just wishing to know what the situation is.
''A lot of people here, who know the country extremely well and have lived here for many years, don't like being told to leave. One has to be cautious and careful, not to create a state of panic.''
The Foreign Office spokesman last night told The Herald: ''We are advising against all non-essential travel to Indonesia. All Britons who have been caught up in the violence have been advised to flee the area where possible but only if they feel it is safe to do so. Others are being told to stay indoors and keep in touch with the British Embassy.''
The spokesman said BA had been asked to lay on extra flights to meet the demands of those who wanted to leave. An extra flight is planned to leave Jakarta tonight for Kuala Lumpur.
He went on: ''There is a possibility that BA will run further flights. But that is a commercial decision for them. Much will depend on the level of demand.''
The spokesman said other options may be considered to evacuate British nationals if matters deteriorated.
Some 20,000 Australians, 8000 Americans and the expatriate staff of a French oil company have already been advised to leave the country by their governments.
The Foreign Office advice number for anyone concerned about relatives or friends who might be in Indonesia is 0171 839 1010.
Losing his grip Page 12
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