A street view of the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra in this May 26, 2005 file photo. (Reuters Photo)

    CANBERRA, June 1 (Xinhuanet) -- The Indonesian embassy here has been closed after receiving an envelope containing biological agent.

    The envelope, which was addressed to the Indonesian ambassador to Australia, was received on Wednesday morning.

    Preliminary tests confirmed it was a biological agent of the Bacillus group of bacteria, ranging from the causative agent of anthrax to relatively harmless germs.

    Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the embassy needs to be shut down for "quite some period of time" and the staff will remain in isolation for the next 48 hours.

    The embassy was seen besieged by fire engines, ambulances and police cars.

    The incident is regarded as an apparent reprisal for Australianstudent Schapelle Corby's jail in Indonesia for drug smuggling.

    Corby, 27, was sentenced to 20-year imprisonment by an Indonesian court last week. The ruling has incurred protest by Australians who believe Corby is innocent.

    Australian Prime Minister John Howard apologized to Indonesia, condemning the incident as a criminal act.

    " ... it's an act of reckless indifference to human life and I apologize on behalf of the Australian people to the Indonesian embassy and to the Indonesian government," he said.

    He said the act won't help Corby.

    "And can I say to people - please, this is not helping her," he said.

    "In fact, it will hurt her and anybody who imagines that this kind of gesture towards the Indonesian ambassador is going to alter attitudes in Indonesia - it will have a negative effect on the judiciary, it will have a negative effect on political opinionin that country, all of which is very unhelpful," he said.

    Downer has contacted Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda to pass on Australia's apology, and Australia's assurances that all efforts would be made to bring the perpetrators to justice.

    Australian Opposition Leader Kim Beazley also condemned the incident, described it as a disgraceful act.

    "There should be absolutely no doubt in the public mind that the House (of Representatives) is of a combined and united view that this sort of outrageous behavior must not be encouraged, an atmosphere which encourages it must not be sustained," Beazley said.

    Meanwhile, the embassy staff have been undergoing a decontamination process.

    Australian Federal Police said they were hopeful all staff would be processed by midnight and allowed to go home, adding that the two workers who touched the letter had not shown any sign of ill effects. Enditem