Philippine government and MILF rebels sign peace pact
Negotiators put their names to deal that aims to create new Muslim-majority autonomous region by 2016 and bring peace to Mindanao
Muslim rebels and the Philippine government put their decades of bitter hostility to one side yesterday to sign the preliminary peace pact which, it is hoped, will bring one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies to a close.
President Benigno Aquino and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief Al Haj Murad Ebrahim witnessed the signing in a ceremony at the presidential palace in Manila.
"I come in peace and to forge a partnership of peace on the basis of the framework agreement between the MILF and the Philippine government," Murad said in a speech at the palace just ahead of the signing.
"We extend the hand of friendship and partnership to the president and Filipino people."
Aquino, who has driven the process since assuming office in 2010, also hailed the agreement as a chance to "finally achieve genuine, lasting peace".
Murad became the first MILF chief to visit the presidential palace, signifying the optimism from both sides about finally ending a four-decade conflict that has claimed 150,000 lives. The pact aims to deliver a final peace deal by 2016.