Council of National Security is expected to lift martial laws imposed after the coup d'etat in September within days, Gen Boonrawd said Monday.

"We will know in one or two days," Boonrawd told reporters.

"Please wait and see Tuesday how the details of the martial law lifting will be," Boonrawd said.

CNS Chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, will hold talks Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont before making any decision, he added.

But Boonrawd said that if the council makes a decision this week on whether to lift martial law, it might not take effect until later in November and might not apply to the entire country.

In separate interview, Sonthi said Surayud will have a final say on when the martial would be lifted.

It is reported earlier that that martial law would likely be lifted before Surayud leaves for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Hanoi on Saturday.

But Surayud said last week martial law was still needed in the northern region, where ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is still believed to have widespread support because of his populist policies.

The Nation