Around 300 rebel soldiers booby-trapped Manila's financial district and briefly trapped foreigners and diplomats in a 20-hour standoff with the government, demanding Arroyo's resignation.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the United States was "pleased" that the crisis ended peacefully.

"We support President Arroyo's handling of the crisis, which demonstrated that the Government of the Philippines is committed to the rule of law and the democratic process," he said.

"No one should be under any doubt that we support the legitimate, civilian government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo."

"We expect that the persons responsible for creating this crisis will be held accountable."

State Department officials had made clear while the uprising was underway at the weekend that any successful coup would have had "immediate negative consequences" for US-Philippines relations.

President George W. Bush made the Philippines a full military ally in May, when he honored Arroyo with a state visit to Washington.

He has made clear he has a warm regard for the Philippine leader, and is expected to travel to Manila to see her during a visit to Asia in October.

WAR.WIRE