The mutineers, in full uniform and still carrying their assault rifles, crates of explosives and rucksacks, vacated Manila's Makati financial district shortly before midnight (1600 GMT) and boarded trucks to a nearby army base.

Earlier, Arroyo appeared on national television to declare the stand-off over, hailing the outcome of the Southeast Asian nation's eighth military uprising in 17 years as a "triumph for democracy."

Rebel troops had seized the sprawling Ayala Center in Makati in the early hours of Sunday, accusing Arroyo and Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes of corruption and demanding their resignations.

Pro-government soldiers backed by armored cars encircled the complex, wired with explosives by the mutineers, as two separate deadlines ordering the rebels to surrender or face a military assault expired.

Around 300 foreigners and residents who had been trapped in the complex, including Australian ambassador Ruth Pearce, were allowed to leave following daybreak.

After lengthy talks with government negotiatiors, the rebel soldiers ended the siege around 10 pm (1400 GMT) and agreed to return to barracks to face military justice.

"The crisis in Makati is over," a smiling Arroyo said in her broadcast. "(The) 296 soldiers, including 70 officers, are standing down and returning to barracks.

"They will be investigated and their cases will be disposed of in accordance with the articles of war," she said.

"They have not asked for and they shall not be given special treatment."

Arroyo, who came to power in a 2001 military-led popular uprising against former president Joseph Estrada, had warned the rebels they would face an all-out military assault.

In her address, she thanked the congress leaders, the church, the people and the international community for supporting her government.

"I assure the world that this event does not in any way injure our national security and poltical stability... Once more, this has been a triumph for democracy," Arroyo said.

The United States and Australia led an outpouring of international support for Arroyo, seen as a key partner in the war against terror.

Shortly after the revolt began, the US State Department declared that "no one should be under any doubt that we fully support the legitimate civilian government" of Arroyo.

Indonesian officials said the officers who led the rebellion would face military justice.

The soldiers involved are "answerable to the articles of war," which govern the conduct of men in uniform, retired former military chief Roy Cimatu told reporters as he announced the results of several hours of talks.

Cimatu said the government had agreed to several terms including tightening controls on weapons and reinvestigating a bomb attack blamed by the mutineers on corrupt military.

Sporting red arm bands and led by young officers, the soldiers had accused Arroyo of graft, staging terrorist attacks in the south to gain US military aid, and selling weapons to Muslim separatist and communist rebels.

The group also accused Arroyo of planning to declare martial law in August, by using bombings in the capital as a pretext to stay in power after her term ends following May 2004 elections. She has promised not to contest the polls.

The rebels had denied the group was trying to stage a coup, and claimed to have some 2,000 military supporters.

Rumors that a military clique was plotting to overthrow the government gripped Manila last week but Arroyo dismissed them when she met with a group of junior officers unhappy over pay and corruption.

WAR.WIRE