The Central government on Friday withdrew its two affidavits, including the controversial one filed by Archeological Survey of India, in the Supreme Court on the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project.

Withdrawing the affidavits, the government said it was not its intention to cast aspersions on the religious faith of people or divide the society.

Promising to examine issues relating to the Sethusamudram project, the government sought three months' time from the court.

In accordance with the government's request, the court has posted the matter for hearing in the first week of January, 2008.

More details awaited.