A US diplomat said in Manila Friday that this country is open to transition of government in the Philippines.

The version was contrary to the US embassy's previous expression of "unequivocal" support to president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The US government supports the rule of law in the Philippines, not any particular political leader, Joseph Mussomeli, US Embassy charge d'affaires, told reporters in Makati City, Metro Manila.

If there is to be a government transition in the Philippines, it "should be done within the constitution", Mussomeli said.

Mussomeli said there is "no quick fix" to the current political crisis in the Philippines, maintaining that Washington will continue to oppose actions made beyond the Philippine constitution such as a military coup, imposition of martial law, and people power in the streets.

However, Mussomeli did not categorically declare that the US still supports Arroyo following mounting calls for her to step down. In stead, he declared the US government would not support any use of force or extra-constitutional means to remove the Arroyo administration.

Meanwhile, Mussomeli expressed his disappointment over the Arroyo government's failure to curb graft and corruption and reform the Armed Forces.

Mussomeli also admitted he met with the key players in the current political scene, including Catholic Church leaders.

Washington had declared its unequivocal support for Arroyo after she succeeded Joseph Estrada who was ousted in a military-backed popular revolt in January 2001 on allegations of corruption.

Following Arroyo's admission that she was the voice heard in the controversial wiretapped conversations, the US has distanced itself from the Arroyo government, amid the calls for Arroyo to resign over allegations of vote fraud.

Source: Xinhua