After rebel soldiers seized control of a commercial complex in Manila's financial and diplomatic district, the United States and Australia warned a successful coup would damage their countries' relations with the Philippines.

Concerned neighbors also condemned the latest eruption of military unrest in Southeast Asia's most coup-prone nation.

US State Department spokeswoman Joanne Moore said in Washington that "no one should be under any doubt that we fully support the legitimate civilian government" of Arroyo, a US-educated economist who was herself brought to power by a popular uprising in 2001.

"At this time we have no reason to believe that there is a real threat to the Arroyo government," Moore said. "But let there be no mistake that a military coup would have immediate negative consequences, including consequences on the bilateral relationship."

In Manila, the US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone said he expected the stand-off to be resolved peacefully and doubted whether the rebels were bent on seizing power for themselves.

"I don't believe that is what is attempted here," he said. "So we are confident still that the situation will be resolved in a lawful way and in a way that does not involve violence."

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, who was in Singapore when the Manila rebels seized an apartment tower where Australian ambassador Ruth Pearce was staying, denounced what he called a coup attempt by dissident officers.

The Australian envoy and other foreigners were released unharmed from the Oakwood luxury apartments in the commercial complex occupied and rigged with explosives by the rebels to deter a government counter-attack.

Indonesia, the largest member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and a relatively young democracy after decades under dictatorship, said it "unreservedly rejects any attempt at the overthrow of a democratic government."

Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa told AFP that "any attempt at the overthrow of a legitimate government is certainly alien to Southeast Asia, which is fast moving toward greater democracy."

China expressed concern over events in Manila, but said the Philippines government was capable of dealing with the rebellion.

"China is concerned about the event in Manila," foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan said. "As a friendly neighbor, China hopes the Philippine government could maintain political stability so that the people could enjoy a peaceful life," he said.

Singapore, wth major investments in the Philippines, said it was fully confident Arroyo's government will be able to restore order.

"The resort to unconstitutional means by the rebels is unacceptable," a foreign ministry spokesman said.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said that "because of ASEAN's interdependence, and we are so close to each other geographically, any tendency of instability in any one country could impact on other countries.

He expressed hope that the "domestic situation in the Philippines" will be resolved as soon as possible.

Australia's Downer said the mutiny "comes at a very difficult time, when the Philippines is in the forefront of the war against terrorism."

"The last thing any of us wants at this time is this kind of instability. We hope that this confrontation in Manila will be resolved in favour of the democratically elected government of the president of the Philippines," he said.

Arroyo was elected vice president in 1998 and took over from president Joseph Estrada after he was toppled by a popular uprising in January 2001. Estrada is now detained while on trial for alleged corruption.

Supporters of Estrada, who mounted a failed attempt to overthrow Arroyo in May 2001, are suspected of links with the current unrest in Manila.

Downer said soldiers demanding the replacement of a head of government amounted to an attempted coup, which must be "resisted and opposed."

Spain's Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar rallied to support Arroyo, sending the Philippines leader a telegram "emphatically condemning" attempts by the rebels to "put an end to constitutional order in the Philippines."

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