Philippines signs deal with Muslim rebels, challenges lie ahead

[The Patriot]

Philippines signs deal with Muslim rebels, challenges lie ahead

10-15-2012 01:13 AM

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippine government and the country's largest Muslim rebel group signed a peace deal on Monday that serves as a roadmap to forming a new autonomous region in the south, a step towards ending more than 40 years of conflict. President Benigno Aquino and Ebrahim Murad, head of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), held one-on-one talks before the signing of the landmark framework agreement. Before the meeting, Murad, a first-time visitor to the presidential palace in Manila, handed Aquino a miniature gong, which he ritually sounded. ...




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