Wednesday, June 14 2006 11:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jakarta: Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, alleged leader of the radical Islamic group Jemaah Islamiyah, was freed yesterday (June 13, 2006) after serving nearly 26 months in prison for his role in the 2002 Bali bombings.

His release provoked immediate reaction from Australia, which lost 88 of its nationals in the attacks, while the United States said overnight it was disappointed to see he would be freed after such a short sentence.

The white-bearded cleric walked out of jail to cheers of 'Allahu Akbar', or God is greatest, from more than 300 supporters who mobbed him along with a mass of waiting media.

The 68-year-old bespectacled cleric, smiling broadly and wearing his trademark white skull cap, a white shirt and a shawl over the shoulders of his suit jacket, gave a brief address to the mass of waiting media.

"I will continue to fight to uphold the Islamic sharia," he said.

"Let us strengthen Islamic brotherhood with one single aim, that is to uphold the Islamic sharia to help this state and nation. I am certain that in this country, which is predominantly Muslim, the problems of the state can be overcome with the Islamic sharia," he added.

He was whisked to a waiting car to be taken back to his hometown of Solo in West Java, some 600 kilometres southeast of Jakarta, where he was to undergo a health check.

Bashir was originally sentenced to 30 months' imprisonment for his role in a 'sinister conspiracy' that led to the Bali bombings. He was cleared of terrorism allegations.

His sentence was cut in August 2005 as part of regular remissions handed out to prisoners.