JAKARTA, April 7 (AFP) - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Wednesday identified illegal logging as another form of entrenched corruption he wants to add to his growing list of "mafia".

The former general talked tough about stopping the fastest rates of deforestation in the world as he left Indonesia for a regional summit in Vietnam where the environment is looming as a key issue.

He also expressed his appreciation for the efforts of Greenpeace, which has angered powerful palm oil interests with protests that have seen some of its activists deported.

"I believe there's a mafia in illegal logging. Our mafia task force should be able to look into the possibility that such a mafia exists and to stop them," he told reporters at the airport."I also want to underline the importance of preserving our forests. I've followed Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth which are active in criticising the forest management by our government. I want to give my appreciation for their concerns and hope they will continue their partnership with Indonesia."