Manila sees peace deal with Muslim rebels by Sept
February 8, 2006
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippine government could sign a
peace deal with Muslim rebels as early as September, Manila’s
chief negotiator Silvestre Afable said on Wednesday after
returning from the latest round of talks in Malaysia.
Negotiators from the two sides said on Tuesday they had
agreed to a preliminary deal on land claims, the key to ending
a nearly four-decade revolt that has cost more than 120,000
lives.
“We’re working toward a peace deal, hopefully by
September,” Afable told reporters in Manila.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has been fighting for an
independent state for Muslims on the southern island of
Mindanao. The conflict has stunted the island’s development and
hurt the overall investment climate in the Philippines.
Source: reuters