Philippines, Muslim rebels close to peace accord

The Philippine government and Muslim rebels have resumed talks on resolving final differences in a preliminary peace accord they hope to conclude soon, in what is expected to be a major breakthrough toward ending a decades-long rebellion.

Government negotiators met with representatives of the 11,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Tuesday to attempt to seal what they call a “framework agreement” on major issues, including the extent of power, revenues and territory to be granted to a Muslim-administered region.

It would be the most significant progress in years of negotiations on ending a rebellion that has left more than 120,000 people dead and held back development in the southern Philippines.

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

Rebel negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said at the talks’ resumption that they are “now on the home stretch and the smell of success is reinforced every day.”

Iqbal warned that if the negotiations are not concluded soon, opponents might endanger a final deal. A breakaway rebel group has opposed the talks, and some Christian politicians, wary of losing land and power to minority Muslims, have been accused in the past of undermining the negotiations.

“If we cannot conclude it soon successfully, now that we are at the brink of the exercise, we will be in trouble,” Iqbal said. “The greatest source of risk comes from spoilers, leaders, and parties who believe that these ... negotiations threaten their power and interests.”