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Indonesia's president takes aim at Abbott over spying

Indonesia's president has accused Tony Abbott of belittling this week's explosive spying allegations.

French President Francois Hollande (L) and Prime Minister Tony Abbott
Prime Minister Tony Abbott wants to move swiftly on a free trade agreement with the European Union. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Indonesia's president has taken aim at Prime Minister Tony Abbott over phone-tapping revelations, accusing him of belittling the affair.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono used Twitter to voice his displeasure over the claims that Australian spies targeted his mobile phone, and those of his wife and confidants.

The president said on Tuesday his government had "protested loudly" to Australia over the claims and sought an explanation.

He also said he was the one who instructed Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa to order the withdrawal of Indonesia's ambassador from Canberra.

The president said Australia and the US had "injured" the strategic partnership with his country.

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"We will also revisit our of bilateral co-operation agenda," he told his four million followers in Indonesian, while warning of "painful consequences" for Australia.

"I also deplore the Australian Prime Minister's statement that play down the spying issue on Indonesia, without feeling guilty," he said, according to a translation.

Mr Abbott wouldn't say on Tuesday whether he would offer Indonesia an apology over the claims.

But he admitted "today may not be the best day" in the relationship.


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