PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (Islamweb & News Agencies) - The Philippine government and Muslim a Muslim Resistance group signed a cease-fire Tuesday, a major step toward ending decades of fighting in the southern Philippines.
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, visiting Malaysia in her first overseas trip since taking office, met Murad Eibrahim, chief of staff of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, after the pact was signed.
The agreement leaves just one Muslim group still fighting for independence from the largely Roman Catholic country - the extremist Abu Sayyaf, known for its kidnappings. The group is currently holding dozens of hostages, including at least two Americans. Arroyo refuses to negotiate with them.
The documents were signed by Murad and Jesus Dureza, the chief government negotiator, who had postponed a ceremony to initial the deal Monday and reached agreement only hours before Arroyo arrived on Tuesday. (Read photo caption below).
The agreement filled in the cease-fire details of a broader pact reached in June in Libya bringing the Islamic front to terms with Manila. The larger Moro National Liberation Front made peace in 1996 in exchange for a degree of autonomy in the southern Philippines.
Representatives from the Islamic and National fronts - which signed a separate unity pact Tuesday, bridging a 23-year split - and the government negotiating team met Arroyo and Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia, whose country brokered the deal.
Both nations have been hit by Abu Sayyaf raiding parties seeking hostages. Bringing the much larger Islamic front off the battlefield should simplify the task in improving security in the waters they share.
Arroyo, speaking at a state banquet late Tuesday, thanked Mahathir for his support and said the cease-fire would help bring peace to the southern Philippines.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Chief negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Murad Ebrahim (L) exchanges documents with Jesus Dureza, chairman of the Philippines Peace Panel in Putrajaya, August 7, 2001. The deal, signed by both sides after days of negotiations, built on a preliminary accord agreed in Libya but officials said that further negotiations were required to reach a final peace agreement. (Bazuki Muhammad/Reuters)
- Aug 07 9:45 AM ET