Peace deal to end Philippines’ 40 years of Muslim rebellion

Muslim rebels and the Philippine government have signed a preliminary peace pact in a bid to end a 40-year conflict that has cost 120,000 lives.The deal, signed in Manila’s Malacanang presidential palace by government negotiator Marvic Leonen and his counterpart from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Mohagher Iqbal, grants Muslims an autonomous region called Bangsamoro in the south.It is the area of the largely Catholic country where Muslims are in the majority.The framework agreement is intended to lead to a final peace settlement by 2016.

The ceremonial signing was watched by president Benigno Aquino III, rebel chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak, whose country helped broker the deal.“We are men and leaders who want to make a difference and we have decided that the time has come for us to choose the moral high ground,” Mr Najib said.He said the deal “will protect the rights of the Bangsamoro people and preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines”.Mr Najib cautioned it “does not solve all the problems” but added: “After four decades, peace is within reach.”