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| Philippines brokers peace deal with Muslim rebels | Philippines brokers peace deal with Muslim rebels |
| (4 months later) | |
| The Philippine government and Muslim rebels have taken their first tentative steps toward ending one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies with the ceremonial signing of a preliminary peace pact they hope will end decades of bitter hostilities. | The Philippine government and Muslim rebels have taken their first tentative steps toward ending one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies with the ceremonial signing of a preliminary peace pact they hope will end decades of bitter hostilities. |
| The framework agreement, a roadmap to a final peace settlement expected by 2016, grants minority Muslims in the southern Philippines broad autonomy in exchange for ending more than 40 years of violence that has killed tens of thousands of people and stifled development. | The framework agreement, a roadmap to a final peace settlement expected by 2016, grants minority Muslims in the southern Philippines broad autonomy in exchange for ending more than 40 years of violence that has killed tens of thousands of people and stifled development. |
| The deal was signed on Monday in Manila's presidential palace by government negotiator Marvic Leonen and his counterpart from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front , Mohagher Iqbal. Also on hand to witness the historic moment were the Philippines president, Benigno Aquino III, the rebel chairman, Al Haj Murad Ebrahim – who set foot in the palace for the first time – and the Malaysian prime minister, Najib Razak, whose country helped broker the deal. | The deal was signed on Monday in Manila's presidential palace by government negotiator Marvic Leonen and his counterpart from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front , Mohagher Iqbal. Also on hand to witness the historic moment were the Philippines president, Benigno Aquino III, the rebel chairman, Al Haj Murad Ebrahim – who set foot in the palace for the first time – and the 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," Najib said. He said the deal "will protect the rights of the Bangsamoro people and preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines". | "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," Najib said. He said the deal "will protect the rights of the Bangsamoro people and preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines". |
| He warned that the agreement "does not solve all the problems, rather it sets the parameters in which peace can be found." | He warned that the agreement "does not solve all the problems, rather it sets the parameters in which peace can be found." |
| "After four decades, peace is within reach," he added. | "After four decades, peace is within reach," he added. |
| The 13-page document outlines general agreements on major issues, including the extent of power, revenues and territory granted for a new Muslim autonomous region to be called Bangsamoro in this predominantly Roman Catholic nation. | The 13-page document outlines general agreements on major issues, including the extent of power, revenues and territory granted for a new Muslim autonomous region to be called Bangsamoro in this predominantly Roman Catholic nation. |
| It calls for the establishment of a 15-member transition commission to draft a law creating the new Muslim-administered region. The 11,000-strong rebel army will be deactivated gradually "beyond use", the agreement says, without specifying a timetable. | It calls for the establishment of a 15-member transition commission to draft a law creating the new Muslim-administered region. The 11,000-strong rebel army will be deactivated gradually "beyond use", the agreement says, without specifying a timetable. |
| Aquino said much work remained to be done and "the devil is in the details", but said his government was committed to the country's south. | Aquino said much work remained to be done and "the devil is in the details", but said his government was committed to the country's south. |
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