World leaders descend on tsunami-hit Asia

US Secretary of State Colin Powell expressed shock after visting Aceh, the Indonesian province most devastated when the wall of water smashed into 11 countries, a day ahead of a crisis summit in the capital Jakarta on the tsunamis.

Powell, who is days away from retirement, expressed hope the support for predominantly Muslim Indonesia could change the battered image of the United States around the globe after the divisive invasion of Iraq.

But President Bush faced criticism for not cutting short his holiday for one of the world's worst catastrophes in years, amid an outpouring of world donations to help the millions left destitute.

Germany was set to become the biggest donor to the Indian Ocean nations devastated by the tsunamis by pledging 500 million euros (668 million dollars) in aid, government sources said in Berlin.

The figure surpasses the 500 million-dollar promise from Japan, which for three days had been the largest donor, and the Japanese government indicated Wednesday it would likely hike up its offer.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was due to attend the emergency one-day summit Thursday in Jakarta along with Powell, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and leaders of China, the European Union and fellow Southeast Asian nations.