Indonesia and France on Saturday expressed their deep regret over Israel's disregard for the recent UN Security Council resolution as it continues military operations in Gaza.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said  on Saturday that he had spoken with French President Nicholas Sarkozyby phone about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and reaffirmed Indonesia and France's commitment to restoring peace to the region.

"We know that the resolution has not been followed in the field. Violence is still happening. Victims are falling. Its a humanitarian tragedy and most of the victims are women and children," the Jakarta Post line news quoted Yudhoyono as saying.

The president said both he and Sarkozy were displeased over Israel's actions. The phone conversation with Sarkozy, he said, could be crucial in the effort to end the crisis.

"I explained [to him] that Indonesia's position is clear. That is why we hope that, apart from our existing efforts, cooperation at the head of state level must be advocated so that the resolution will be followed," he said.

Yudhoyono promised that Indonesia would engage in any effort to stop the killing, including proposing a harsher UNSC resolution on the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians.

(Xinhua News Agency January 11, 2009)