Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi, in a conversation with a Filipino diplomat, has criticised the Abu Sayyaf, a year after the militant group abducted 21 people, mostly foreigners, in a cross border raid at a Malaysian resort, the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported yesterday.

Gaddafi aired his criticisms of the notorious southern Sulu-based separatist group during a visit by Philippines' Special Envoy Raul Rabe in Tripoli last week. Rabe quoted the Libyan leader as saying that the Abu Sayyaf have "nothing to do with the cause of Islam." Gaddafi was believed to have been a central figure in the release of 20 of the hostages taken from Malaysia's Sipadan island in April 23, 2000.

He was approached by leaders of European countries to help in the release of seven of their nationals among the 21 hostages taken by the Abu Sayyaf from Sipadan to the island province of Sulu.

Gaddafi then sent former Libyan ambassador to Manila Rajab Abdulaziz Azzarouq to negotiate with the Muslim kidnappers under the cloak of a "non-government representation." Azzarouq said he was merely representing the Gaddafi International Institution for Charitable Organisations headed by Gaddafi's son, Saiful Islam.

Upon protracted negotiations, the European hostages were released in batches. Based on the accounts of the freed hostages, they said that the group was paid ransom amounting to $2million by Azzarouq. All the released European hostages had to be flown to Tripoli to meet and thank Gaddafi before they returned back to their home countries.

Gaddafi, meanwhile, praised as a 'wise move' the new tack taken by President Arroyo to hold peace talks with another Muslim secessionist rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Rabe handed the letter of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the Libyan leader which discussed her administration's new thrust to convince the MILF to negotiate peace with them and restore peace in Mindanao.

"The use of force and arms will not solve the problem as they will only be used by the rebels to rally people around them to fight the government," the DFA quoted Gaddafi as saying.
Gaddafi told the Filipino diplomat that the Muslim minority in Mindanao should "live harmoniously and co-exist with the majority" Christian population, the DFA said.

"He said that autonomy for Muslim areas in Mindanao should only be within the framework of the territorial integrity and independence of the Philippines," the DFA reported in a statement. The Libyan leader also promised to help in the "development needs of the Philippines, especially in Mindanao" through the Gaddafi Foundation.