A protest in front of the Australian embassy in Jakarta has erupted in violence, with flags burnt and one banner calling for war.

Hundreds of demonstrators, some dressed in militia fatigues, arrived at the embassy to protest over the spying controversy after revelations that the phones of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, his wife and senior officials had been tapped by Australian spies.

Riot police were on standby near the embassy.

The demonstrators arrived carrying signs with the words “Merah“ meaning “red” and sprayed red paint on the front wall of the embassy.

A protester from Pemuda Panca Marga, a group which represents the children of veterans, said Australian citizens living in Indonesia would be targeted unless an apology was forthcoming.

“Within 24 hours, if the Australian government does not apologise, we're ready to attack this place. We're ready to (target) Australians.”

One banner held by protesters read “PPM, GM, FKPPI Ready!!! War with Australia.”

Another had: “Even The Sky Fall, Law Must be Uphold”.

A banner was hung on the overpass near the compound, demanding an immediate apology from Australian prime minister Tony Abbott.

“Indonesian People Demanding ... Australian PM Tony Abbott must immediately apology to all Indonesian people,” the banner read.

“Australia must never ever try to attack the dignity of our nation.”

Others called Mr Abbott arrogant.

The protest became physical with police moving in to restrain a number of the protesters.

Protesters outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta.





A paper print out of the Australian flag and the US flag have been burnt in front of the embassy.

A senior member of Laskar Merah Putih (Red and White Brigade) shouted over a megaphone as the Australian flag burned: “If the government can't declare war, we can declare war on media, on hacking.”

Ruhut Sitompul, an MP with Dr Yudhoyono's Democratic Party, was also at the protest where he called for more firm action to be taken by Indonesia.

“I come here not only to support the Red and White Brigade,” he said.

“Indonesia has been tapped since Suharto time, since Habibie time, since Gus Dur time, since Megawati time and now in SBY by those imperialists.

"If Abbott still not apologise to us, President could make more harsh action.”

More than 100 of the Indonesian National Police's Mobile Brigade, armed with riot shields and tear gas, are in front of the embassy.

Another 300 officers were on standby at a nearby location, a police spokesman said.

There were also balaclava-clad security officers with binoculars stationed on an overpass close to the compound.

Earlier today, demonstrators in Yogyakarta burnt an Australian flag in protest over the alleged tapping.

A large protest, organised by a group known as the People's Coalition for Defence and Security (KMPH), is also expected to take place outside the Australian Embassy.

The protest comes after Indonesian nationalist demonstrators in Yogyakarta burnt an Australian flag in front of the governor's palace on Wednesday.The large group of protesters in Yogyakarta, a hotbed of student activism, had demanded an apology from Prime Minister Tony Abbott and asked the Indonesian president to sever diplomatic ties with Canberra, reports said.It's understood the Australian government has already undertaken precautions to ensure the safety of staff at the embassy in Jakarta ahead of a protest on Thursday, while a large police presence is also expected.The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has updated its travel advice in response to the protest plan."Local police advise that a demonstration is planned for outside the Australian Embassy," DFAT said."Australians should monitor local media, avoid protests, maintain high levels of vigilance and security awareness."The ramping up in nationalism and anger towards Australia came as a close confidant of Dr Yudhoyono warned relations with Australia may not recover unless Mr Abbott apologised over the spying allegations that prompted the current diplomatic crisis.Ramadhan Pohan, whose niece is married to the president's oldest son, has urged Mr Abbott to apologise over the spying row by Thursday night.Mr Ramadhan is also an MP with Dr Yudhoyono's ruling Democrat Party and a member of the parliament's powerful foreign affairs and defence committee."If Abbott does not apologise by [Thursday] night ... I predict that it will be the last night of Indonesia and Australia's friendship," Mr Ramadhan reportedly told Metrotvnews.com late on Wednesday night.The warning came in the wake of Dr Yudhoyono's announcement on Wednesday that Indonesia was immediately cutting defence ties and co-operation on efforts aimed at combating people smuggling.Dr Yudhoyono said he would send a letter to Mr Abbott, demanding an official apology and a full explanation as to why Australian spies targeted his mobile phone in 2009, as well as his wife's and some of his closest confidants.Dr Yudhoyono said he wanted a personal explanation, insisting comments directed at "Australia's domestic community" would not suffice.Mr Abbott has said he would respond to the official communication, but still refused on Wednesday to apologise for the spying, instead appearing to blame media coverage for the deterioration in diplomatic relations."I want to express here in this chamber, my deep and sincere regret about the embarrassment to the president and to Indonesia that's been caused by recent media reporting," Mr Abbott said.