"I'm at a loss for words," said Mr Abdullah, as he stepped off his plane in Banda Aceh after flying from Sweden.

He is visiting for the first time in 25 years to see the process for himself.

Other leaders of the Free Aceh Movement (Gam) have declined to return to the tsunami-ravaged province, citing security concerns.

A landmark peace deal signed in August aims to end 30 years of fighting in the province and includes a commitment to helping Gam fighters reintegrate into society while the movement itself becomes a political party.

The peace process, said Mr Abdullah, was running "smoothly... beyond expectations" but he planned to stay 60 days on the ground to monitor the situation.

Asked if he might stand in provincial elections, he was quoted by Reuters news agency as laughing off the question with the words "later, later".

Scores of monitors from the European Union and South-East Asia are currently covering the cease-fire in Aceh, under which Gam fighters are to disarm and government troops to withdraw partially.

Pieter Feith, who heads the Aceh Monitoring Mission, earlier this month urged exiled Gam leaders to return, saying they could play an important role in province.

Gam leaders Malik Mahmood, Zaini Abdullah and Gam founder Hasan di Tiro also live in exile in Sweden.

Source: BBC News