Philippine rebels close to peace deal

THE Philippine government resumed talks yesterday with Muslim rebels aimed at resolving final differences to agree a peace accord.

The deal would end a decades-long rebellion in the south of the country involving the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is said to have 11,000 fighters.

Both sides met in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in a bid to seal what they described as a framework agreement, covering issues such as the extent and financing of a Muslim-administered region.

The rebellion has left more than 120,000 people dead and stunted development in the south of the Philippines.

Western governments have been worried that rebel strongholds could become breeding grounds for al-Qaeda-affiliated extremists.

Yesterday rebel negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said the talks were “on the home stretch”.