HALIFAX - The mayor of Halifax says he is pleased that Occupy protesters have agreed to temporarily vacate a downtown public gathering place to accommodate Remembrance Day and Holocaust memorial ceremonies.

Peter Kelly caused a stir last week after he requested the Occupy Nova Scotia protesters to leave the Grand Parade in front of city hall in order to prepare the site ahead of those events.

Protest organizers said they will pack up their tents Nov. 6 and move to a small park a few blocks away "out of respect" for Remembrance Day and Dignity Day, an event on Nov. 9 to remember the arrest of more than 30,000 Jews by the Nazis in 1938 in Germany and Austria.

But they said they intend to return six days later to continue their demonstration.

"The immediate concern was to address the issue at hand and reassure the public that we are working with the city and the veterans," said John Thibeau.

"We can go into speculation and thoughts about what might happen later on, but the immediate issue has been addressed."

The decision to leave was achieved through consensus, even though there were varying degrees of support, Thibeau said. He added that while not everyone is happy with it, he expects all would respect it.

"Everyone, although they may not agree with it, understands the logic behind it in that we have to look out for community, not just individuals," he said.

"Anyone who remains is going against what the group has decided and therefore they will no longer be representing Occupy in any way."

Kelly said he was happy a compromise was reached, but he was reluctant to discuss what might happen if the protesters return.

"We're trying to find a long-term solution rather than having to tear down, set up, tear down, set up," he said after meeting with protest organizers to thank them for their decision.

"They know we have other issues in the queue, other events and the public wants and expects to be able to go to them."

Kelly has expressed concerns over other events traditionally held at the Grand Parade, including a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and New Year's Eve festivities.

He said city crews could start moving in any time soon to begin repairs and cleanup of the area.

The Occupy Nova Scotia demonstration is one of many such protests around the world that has spawned from the anti-capitalist Occupy Wall Street movement.