OTTAWA — The spat between the federal government and the Maher Arar inquiry was defused -- at least temporarily -- Friday when the government dropped legal action to try to keep a summary of secret evidence under wraps.

In turn, the inquiry has agreed not to release the summary, for now.

But the issue appears bound to return later this year, perhaps in the form of a legal showdown over release of the commission's final report.

At issue was a heavily blacked-out summary of closed-door testimony about the actions of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service in the Arar affair.

Late last year substantial portions of the 12-page summary were excised by the government due to security concerns despite the desire of the inquiry commissioner, Justice Dennis O'Connor, to release the complete text.

The government "still believes that certain portions of the summary cannot be made public'' because the release of such information could harm international relations and national security, said Stephen Bindman, a spokesman for the federal legal team at the Arar inquiry.

"However, since the commission no longer wishes to make those portions public at this time, there is no longer a need for the Federal Court action.''

But both sides agree the issue must be settled at some point.

Cavalluzzo said he hopes release of the commission's report won't be delayed by legal wrangling once it's completed, likely late this year.

"We are going to be submitting a report which we feel can be disclosed to the public and we're hoping the government will release it,'' he said.

"If the government disagrees with us, then, yes, we will have a judicial battle on our hands.''

The commission plans to continue in-camera hearings until the end of April. Public sessions are to resume in May.