Singapore opposition leader ends protest, expects arrest

SINGAPORE, Sep 19 (Reuters) A Singapore opposition leader ended a four-day stand-off with police today and said he expects to be arrested once the IMF and World Bank meetings, which Singapore is hosting this week, are over.

Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan and a handful of supporters had planned a pro-democracy protest march to the venue for the International Monetary Fund-World Bank meetings on Saturday.

But he was stopped by police who, while not arresting him, formed a cordon around the group.

The stand-off was the city-state's longest act of civil disobedience since the 1960s and made headlines worldwide.

''The protest may have come to a close, but I assure you, the movement, our campaign for democracy, will grow and gain momentum,'' Chee told reporters at the corner of the downtown park where he and his supporters spent four days on the pavement.

He vowed to escalate his campaign against the government's tight control on civil liberties and curbs on free speech.

Under Singapore law, all outdoor demonstrations are banned and any public gathering of more than four people requires a police permit. Speaking in public also requires a permit.

Chee has repeatedly flouted Singapore's curbs on freedom of speech and assembly and has spent a total of about two months in jail.

On Saturday, Chee made a speech at Speakers' Corner -- where public speaking is allowed after registration with police -- but he and his supporters were blocked from holding a march.

Police have not said why they have yet to detail the opposition politician, who said he expects the authorities to act swiftly after the IMF-World Bank meetings end tomorrow.

''I think the government has only been very restrained because of the presence of international media,'' Chee said. ''But we are prepared for the consequences.'' Singapore police said a statement would be issued later today. On Saturday, police said they stoppped Chee and his group and they were ''advised not to break the law''.

As Chee read his statement, police continued to guard the park where about 100 supporters and journalists gathered.

Police continued to film and take photographs of those present -- as they have during the past four days -- while two military helicopters hovered overhead.

An acerbic critic of the government, Chee has had several run-ins with Singapore's leaders.

He was slapped with a defamation suit in 2001 for accusations against former prime ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong and was declared bankrupt because he was unable to pay damages of 316,300 dollars.

REUTERS LL BS1411