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Philippines and MNLF to discuss ending Zamboanga siege Rebels and troops resume fight in southern Philippines
(about 7 hours later)
Philippine Vice-President Jejomar Binay is to hold talks with Muslim rebels following five days of deadly clashes in the southern city of Zamboanga. Fighting has resumed between government troops and Muslim rebels in the southern Philippines, despite a recently agreed ceasefire.
The aim of the talks is to end a stand-off, in which the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) are holding at least 100 people hostage. Officials said troops were battling to retake a series of villages near Zamboanga city, where members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) are holding about 100 people hostage.
Fighting is reported to continue despite a ceasefire agreed between the government and rebels late on Friday. More than 50 people have died in the violence, now in its sixth day.
More than 22 people have died in the violence since Monday. Another 60,000 people have fled their homes and a curfew is in place.
About 15,000 residents have been displaced by the violence and a curfew is in place. Late on Friday, Vice-President Jejomar Binay said he had spoken by telephone to Nur Misuari, the MNLF leader who is pushing for an independent Islamic state in the southern Philippines.
President Benigno Aquino, who flew to Zamboanga on Friday, earlier issued a warning to the rebels not to harm civilians. Mr Binay said the rebel leader had agreed to a ceasefire as well as talks to resolve the Zamboanga standoff.
He said government troops had "overwhelming" force and would not hesitate to use it. But analysts say it is unclear how this would work in practice, especially as Nur Misuari's whereabouts are unknown - and by Saturday morning it appeared that the ceasefire agreement had already broken down.
"The vice president is sad that his efforts to secure the release of the hostages in Zamboanga city did not prosper," Mr Binay's spokesman Joey Salgado said in a statement.
Clashes were reported in three districts of Zamboanga on Saturday - and also on the nearby island of Basilan.
Abigail Valte, a presidential spokeswoman, also accused the rebels of launching attacks throughout Friday night.
Military officials told Reuters news agency that troops had retaken a school which the rebels had used as a base. The soldiers reportedly found seven bodies inside the building.
Gunfire exchangesGunfire exchanges
Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the rebels had violated the truce, due to take effect on Friday at midnight. President Benigno Aquino flew to Zamboanga on Friday to visit people displaced by the violence, now sheltering in a sports complex.
"Everybody wants peace, to stop this without more bloodshed," Mr Gazmin said. He said more clashes were expected, but that the rebels' "capability to inflict chaos here in Zamboanga city is diminishing".
"But as we speak, there's firing so there's no ceasefire. We agreed that government forces will not fire only if the MNLF will not open fire." More than 1,000 troops, backed by police, have been fighting to drive the MNLF out of the city and its surrounding villages since the rebels launched their attack on Monday.
Residents in Zamboanga said gunfire exchanges could be heard throughout the night.
At 2:00 local time, the city government tweeted that the "Police Operations Division says no order of a ceasefire".
Army spokesman Lt Col Ramon Zagala told reporters at least 52 had been killed, including 43 rebels and four civilians.
On Friday, Vice-President Binay said he had spoken by telephone to MNLF leader Nur Misuari and Mr Gazmin, who both agreed to suspend fighting.
Mr Misuari set no conditions in exchange for agreeing to the ceasefire, the vice-president said.
Mr Binay is now travelling to the area to take part in the negotiations.
More than 1,000 troops, backed by police, have been battling to drive MNLF rebels out of the city, who say they are fighting for an independent state.
Officials said the rebels set fire to many homes in the city on Friday as a possible diversionary tactic to try to escape amid shortages of food, supplies and ammunition.
Schools and shops have been closed, with only essential government offices open, according to aid agencies.Schools and shops have been closed, with only essential government offices open, according to aid agencies.
The MNLF was founded by Nur Misuari in 1971, with the goal of fighting the Philippine state for an independent Islamic nation. The MNLF then signed a peace agreement with the government in 1996. The MNLF was founded by Nur Misuari in 1971, with the goal of fighting the Philippine state for an independent Islamic nation.
However Nur Misuari has complained that his faction has been marginalised in a peace agreement currently being negotiated between the government and another insurgent group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The group then signed a peace agreement with the government in 1996.
But Nur Misuari has complained that his faction has been marginalised in a peace agreement currently being negotiated between the government and another insurgent group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Last month, he declared an independent Muslim state in the southern Philippines.Last month, he declared an independent Muslim state in the southern Philippines.