Filipino justice chief says time to lift emergency

MANILA, Mar 2 (Reuters) Philippines Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said on Thursday that conditions were right to lift a state of emergency but the decision would have to be made by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

''The trajectory is towards recommendation since the situation is favourable already,'' Gonzalez told a news conference.

Gonzalez's positive assessment, reversing his judgment of just a day earlier, echoed the opinion expressed by the national police chief and defence secretary that the security situation had improved since the discovery of a coup plot last Friday.

Arroyo is waiting for a report from the trio within the next two day before making a decision on lifting the emergency order.

REUTERS KD PC0925