The protesters, wearing white headbands with the word "referendum" in blue letters, made their way into the lobby of one of the main buildings in the complex, brushing aside attempts by the few security guards to stop them.

Shouting ``long live referendum'' some protesters carried placards supporting President Abdurrahman Wahid's offer to give the province a chance to vote next year. But Wahid has said independence will not be one of the choices on offer.

The rally came a few hours before the planned testimony to parliament by former armed forces chief General Wiranto on the hardline military operation in Aceh, which many blame for fanning what is now widespread resentment there against Jakarta rule.

Human rights groups say that thousands of Acehnese were killed, raped or tortured during the nine-year military operations whichofficially ended last year.

The protesters, from the Acehnese community of Java in support of a general assembly of the fighting people for an Aceh referendum, waited in the lobby and for parliamentary leaders to convey their demand to them.

They later planned to March to the main Istiqulal mosque for prayers.

In an open invitation the organisation said the protesters were Acehnese from Jakarta and other towns and cities on Java island. They said the rally was a peaceful action "to provide moral support to our brothers and sisters in Aceh," the country's western most province lying on the northern tip of Sumatra island.

Demands for a referendum on self-determination have been on the rise since the fall of former president Suharto in May 1998.