The nation's three main broadcasters have reversed their earlier decision and plan to provide live coverage of a debate among opposition GNP candidates vying for the party's leadership post.

The move is expected to cool escalating tensions between the GNP and TV stations over allegedly biased coverage of the National Assembly's impeachment of President Roh last week and the ensuing storms of protests.

The GNP had earlier threatened to stage massive outdoor rallies in Seoul and other major cities over the weekend to protest the broadcasters' earlier decision not to air the party's pre-election debates.

State-run broadcaster KBS told the GNP it would provide live coverage of the debate if it agreed to hold the session later in the evening to avoid prime time.

Two other stations, MBC and SBS, said they would cover the debate live if the GNP would agree to hold the debate Monday, one day before the party's national convention to elect its new leader.