"Unless the Australian government offers an official apology to Indonesia in the next 24 hours, we will expel the Australian ambassador and attaches from Indonesia," one of the protesters warned.
At the rally, held under tight security, the demonstrators, who claimed to be members of the Coalition of Societies for Defense and Securities, set fire to papers and posters to show their disappointment in the Australian government.
They also hoisted red and white flags and sang the national anthem during the rally.
No embassy official was ready to receive representatives of the demonstrators to discuss their demands.
Bilateral ties between Indonesia and Australia were strained after a report by The Guardian on Monday (Nov. 18) revealed that the Australian government in 2009 had wire-tapped the private phones of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, First Lady Ani Yudhoyono and several ministers and government officials.
The report was based on documents leaked by former employee of the United States National Security Agency (NSA) Edward Snowden, who has been granted asylum in Russia.
In response to the allegations, the Indonesian government recalled its ambassador to Australia Nadjib Riphat Kesoema for consultations.
On Wednesday, President Yudhoyono ordered the suspension of several cooperation programs with Australia following the spying allegations.
The cooperation programs that have been suspended include the exchange of intelligence information, joint military exercises and military operations to curb human trafficking, he said.
The President added that he would also review other areas of cooperation with Australia.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
