JAKARTA - Indonesian police fired water cannons to break up a demonstration on Tuesday by about 1,000 stone-throwing protesters here who were demanding the president resign over a recent fuel price hike.

The protesters blocked traffic and burned tyres outside parliament as they called for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to step down and repeal a 30-percent rise in the price of fuel.

They also tried to force their way through a locked gate in front of parliament before being dispersed by the water cannons.

There were no reports of injuries.

Last month's fuel price hike triggered protests throughout the archipelago, but a government scheme to offer cash compensation and free rice to the poor has helped dull public anger.

Yudhoyono said the price rise was vital to rein in the cost of a multi-billion dollar subsidy scheme, which was ballooning on the back of high oil prices. - AFP/vm