PM Rudd Contacts President Yudhoyono Over Syria

Jakarta (Antara) - Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at 10.40am on Tuesday in connection with the developments in Syria and Australia's role as the president of the UN Security Council in the period of September 2013. President Yudhoyono's special aide for international relations Teuku Faizasyah said to Antara Prime Minister Rudd had conveyed about allegation of the use of chemical weapons on Syria. "Prime Minister Rudd spoke on the phone with the Indonesian President at around 10.40 am for about 10 minutes. They discussed latest developments in Syria especially allegations of chemical weapons usage," he said. On the occasion, President Yudhoyono conveyed two things as the country's stance towards the developments in Syria. "The President expressed deep concern over the use of chemical weapons in the conflict in Syria considering it as unacceptable," he said. Secondly, he said, Indonesia supports efforts to settle conflict in Syria. "The President reaffirms Indonesia will support steps taken by the UN Security Council to settle the conflict in Syria," he said. (*)