Indonesian militant leader resigns

JAKARTA, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- The militant head of the Indonesian Mujahedin Council announced plans to resign from his post Wednesday.

Radical Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, the former leader of the Southeast Asian militant Islamic organization Jemaah Islamiyah, announced his resignation from the Indonesian Mujahedin Council over a disagreement with the organization's election procedures, Adnkronos reported Thursday.

The Indonesian Mujahedin Council, under the direction of Bashir, is at the forefront of an effort calling for Indonesia's conversion into an Islamic state.

Bashir's departure is the result of a disagreement over the council's recently adopted assembly membership procedures that involve leaders electing the assembly's members.

"Bashir condemned such a democratic method as un-Islamic, and instead said that the emir should be the only authorized decisionmaker," Adnkronos reported.

Bashir's former deputy, cleric M. Tholib, has taken over the leadership role until an election can be held.