JAKARTA - THE twin suicide bombings of luxury hotels in Jakarta were 'clearly linked' to Malaysian-born extremist Noordin Mohammed Top, one of Asia's most wanted terror suspects, an official said on Saturday.

No group has claimed responsibility for the bombings, but the security ministry's anti-terror desk chief, Ansyaad Mbai, told AFP there was strong evidence that Noordin was behind the attacks.

MANILA - A TROPICAL storm that brought heavy rain and severe floods to the northern and central Philippines headed away from the country on Saturday, leaving at least five dead in its wake, officials said.

JAKARTA - INDONESIAN police on Saturday were studying DNA evidence from the remains of two suicide bombers who carried out twin attacks on luxury Jakarta hotels, as security was tightened across the country.

Suspected Islamist suicide bombers detonated powerful devices at the Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott hotels in an upmarket business district Friday, leaving nine dead and up to 50 injured including at least 18 foreigners.