Sutarto, quoted by Monday's Kompas daily, said it was too early to say whether more time would be needed for the entire "integrated operations" in Aceh.

The government said it is conducting humanitarian and law enforcement operations well as the military campaign against the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

"But specifically for the military operation, I can definitely say that (it) will not be completed within six months. No country in this world has carried out an operation against rebels in just six months," Sutarto said.

The government on May 19 declared martial law for six months and launched its biggest military operation in a quarter-century.

Officials had previously said they hoped to wind down military operations after six months or less.

Speaking to reporters in the town of Lhokseumawe in North Aceh, Sutarto was quoted as saying a military operation could range from one to 10 years.

"Basically, my target (for the operation) is until residents are no longer disturbed by GAM's existence," the general said.

"In essence, their strength has been broken apart into smaller units," he said. "Their fighting power has significantly weakened."

Sutarto last week said his troops had taken "100 percent" control of the whole province even though clashes continue.

Separately, a military spokesman in Aceh said Monday that GAM planned on Tuesday to free a television crew they have held since June 29.

"GAM has said it will hand over the TV crew to the PMI (Indonesian Red Cross) on Tuesday," said provincial military spokesman Firdaus Komarno.

He declined to say how the message was conveyed.

The military operation involving some 30,000 troops and aimed at crushing GAM entered its eighth week on Monday.

Sofyan Dawood, the GAM military spokesman, denied the TV crew would be freed on Tuesday.

"There is no such plan. And if we decide to release them, we will want an independent body such as the International Red Cross to be present, not the PMI," Dawood told AFP in Jakarta.

"The situation there is much too dangerous for such a move."

A reporter and cameraman from the private RCTI station, their driver and two civilian women travelling with them went missing after leaving East Aceh for Lhokseumawe in North Aceh.

GAM has since said it is holding the five and questioning them. The rebels alleged that soldiers have used the press to conduct intelligence operations.

Last month a cameraman with the state TVRI station was found dead in Aceh after going missing for almost a month. Muhammad Jamal had been abducted from his office by unidentified gunmen.

Troops have shot dead five more suspected guerrillas at several locations in Aceh, the military reported Monday.

According to its figures 353 rebels have been killed since the operation was launched on May 19. The military says 30 soldiers and eight police have been killed.

More than 48,000 people have been driven from their homes by the conflict.

GAM has been fighting for an independent state in the resource-rich province on Sumatra island since 1976.

WAR.WIRE