Japan agrees to join group to monitor Philippine peace talks

Manila - Japan has agreed to join an international group that would monitor peace talks between the Philippine government and the country's largest Muslim separatist rebel group, its ambassador said Saturday. Ambassador Makoto Katsura said his country is keen to help in the peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

On Tuesday, Turkey confirmed that it would join the International Contact Group (ICG) to monitor implementation of agreements signed between the two sides.

Britain and Saudi Arabia were also invited by both sides to join the ICG.

The government and rebels agreed on September 15 to form the ICG as part of efforts to resume peace negotiations, which have been stalled since August last year due to the failure to sign a key territorial agreement.

The two sides have agreed to oblige soldiers and rebel fighters to "refrain from intentionally targeting or attacking non-combatants" in the southern region of Mindanao.

In August 2008, combat broke out between the rebels and army in several provinces of Mindanao after the government caved in to opposition and reneged on the negotiated territorial agreement.

More than 300 people were killed and more than half a million people displaced in the hostilities. Some of the refugees have returned home or moved in with relatives, but many are still in evacuation camps.