Philippines military officials led U.S. counter terrorism experts yesterday to strife-torn Basilan island, the base for operations of the Abu Sayyaf group.

The American military experts are expected to contribute to solving the government's problem with the extremist group which both Manila and Washington confirmed has links with the Al Qaida network of Osama bin Laden.

Military Southern Command chief Lt Gen Roy Cimatu accompanied the U.S. team of specialists to Basilan. Journalists were not allowed to cover their departure and security was tight at the military base, the largest armed forces installation outside Manila.

The U.S. experts are on a two-week visit to the Philippines to determine the hardware and expertise needed by the local armed forces in battling the Abu Sayyaf, which is notorious for its kidnapping in the south.

A security official, who asked not to be named, said the American experts, composed mostly of senior officers from the U.S. Army and the Marines, met local counterparts inside the Army 103rd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Basilan's capital, Isabela City.

The official said at least 16 U.S. experts arrived in the island. Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Brig Gen Edilberto Adan said the U.S. military experts, whom he call "coordinators", will not join combat operations against the Abu Sayyaf, but were only in Basilan to assess and study the capabilities of the military.

At least 23 U.S. experts arrived this southern port city last week under tight security. Adan said: "If the U.S. was to join the offensive against the Abu Sayyaf, then you should be able see their carriers anchored off (the southern main island of) Mindanao."