Red and white flags decorated  buildings, homes and vehicles in Banda Aceh during Saturday's celebration of the four-year historic peace agreement between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). The anniversary of the memorandum of understanding signed in Helsinki, Finland on Aug. 15, 2005, fell just two days ahead of the country's national Independence Day on Monday.

Thousands of Acehnese took to the streets around the Baiturrahman Mosque with red and white flags, many flocking from outside the capital, reported Antara news agency. Vendors were selling more than 30 flags each day leading up to the celebrations and the number of flag sellers has increased from last year.

In the past, red and white flags were common in Aceh ahead of the country's independence celebrations every August 17, but the strong presence of Indonesian security forces made people fearful of displaying the national flag. Fear of the GAM was also blamed for people's reluctance to sing the national anthem "Indonesia Raya" in rebel strongholds.    rri.co.id-voi/dd