The "economic facilitation packages" were distributed by local governments to former fighters of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) throughout the province, the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) said in a statement.

The packages, worth one million rupiah (about 100 dollars) each, were granted by the government as part of its pledges under a peace agreement signed with GAM in August.

The assistance for former combatants follows earlier support for prisoners who were released under an amnesty.

The AMM statement also said Jakarta had recently agreed to a proposed budget for longer term support in Aceh. It provides funds for land, housing and job training for former combatants and prisoners.

Support for a wide range of other victims of the conflict is also included in the budget, as well as some investment in new schools, roads and religious buildings in the worst hit areas.

The conflict claimed about 15,000 lives, most of them civilians, after GAM began its struggle for an independent state in 1976.

Under the accord, GAM dropped its long-held demand for independence in exchange for a form of local government in Aceh. The peace pact was spurred by the December 2004 tsunami disaster, which left 131,000 people dead in the province.

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