REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, CANBERRA -- Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Tuesday said he regrets any embarrassment to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono over claims his phone was spied on, but stopped short of an apology.

"Australia has deep respect for Indonesia, for its government and for its people," he told parliament of the vital strategic and trading partner. "I regard President Yudhoyono as a good friend of Australia, indeed as one of the very best friends that we have anywhere in the world. "That's why, I sincerely regret any embarrassment recent media reports have caused him."

But Abbott made clear Australia should not be expected to apologise for working to protect the nation. "Australia should not be expected to apologise for the steps we take to protect our country now or in the past, any more than other governments should be expected to apologise for the similar steps that they have taken," he said. "Importantly, in Australia's case, we use all our resources - including information - to help our friends and allies."

The comments came after Yudhoyono said Jakarta was reviewing cooperation with Australia and angrily recalled its ambassador from Canberra, in response to reports that Australian intelligence agencies targeted his phone calls, as well as those of his wife and senior ministers.

Australia-Indonesian ties to worsen after spying leak

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Tuesday that Indonesia is reviewing cooperation with Canberra following allegations that Australian spy agencies tried to listen to his phone calls and those of his wife and ministers.

He said in a tweet that Jakarta is "reviewing the bilateral cooperation because of Australia's hurtful action". The comment came a day after Indonesia recalled its ambassador to Australia over the spying allegations.

He also hit out at Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott over the scandal, saying: "I also deplore the Australian PM's statement that wire-tapping Indonesia is considered a small thing, without any feeling of remorse."

"The acts by the US and Australia are very damaging to their strategic partnerships with Indonesia, a fellow democratic country," he added.

Australia and Indonesia are long-time allies and vital strategic partners, cooperating in areas such as asylum seekers heading to Australia via Indonesia and security.

The United States also reportedly carried out electronic surveillance from its embassy in Jakarta as part of a global spying network.

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