Turkey to join group to monitor Philippine peace talks

Manila - Turkey has accepted an invitation to be part of an international group that would monitor peace talks between the Philippine government and the country's largest Muslim separatist rebel group, an official said Thursday. Britain, Japan and Saudi Arabia were also invited by the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to join the International Contact Group (ICG).

Rafael Seguis, chairman of the government peace panel with the MILF, said he and his rebel counterpart Mohaqher Iqbal have received letters confirming Turkey's participation in the ICG.

"This is indeed a positive step as it clears the way towards the actual resumption of formal peace talks in the first week of December," Seguis said in a statement.

The Philippines and the MILF 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 non-signing of a key territory agreement.

The two sides also forged an agreement obliging government security forces and MILF fighters to "refrain from intentionally targeting or attacking non-combatants" in times of fighting in the southern region of Mindanao.

In August 2008, fighting broke out between the MILF and the military in a number of provinces in Mindanao after a key territorial agreement with the rebel group was junked by the government due to strong opposition.

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