Australia PM seeks migrant help

Kevin Rudd made the phone call over the weekend asking the Indonesian authorities to intervene.

The boat, which set off from Indonesia, had 260 suspected Sri Lankan asylum seekers, some women and children.

The vessel was intercepted by the Indonesian navy off Krakatoa and was reportedly escorted to West Java.

Mr Rudd said he had discussed "our continued co-operation on people-smuggling" during the phone call to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Saturday.

"I make no apology whatsoever for working as closely as I need with our Indonesian friends and partners to get the result we all need in terms of illegal immigration," he said, according to the Associated Press.

People smugglers often bring refugees to Australia by boat via Indonesia.