World | Philippines
Arroyo calls for peace talks to resume
President Gloria Arroyo has called on Muslim and Christian religious leaders, including Islamic as well as non-Islamic countries to assist the Philippine government and the largest Muslim rebel group to return to peace negotiations and end a three-month old escalation of violence in the southern Philippines.
- By Barbara Mae Dacanay, Bureau Chief
- Published: 23:21 November 14, 2008
Manila: President Gloria Arroyo has called on Muslim and Christian religious leaders, including Islamic as well as non-Islamic countries to assist the Philippine government and the largest Muslim rebel group to return to peace negotiations and end a three-month old escalation of violence in the southern Philippines.
In a radio interview at her ancestral home in Tombagon Village in Iligan City, Arroyo noted that a much needed peace settlement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will be forged through interfaith dialogue under the leadership of the Bishop and Ulama Conference (BUC).
"Religious leaders can speed up dialogue and reconciliation. They are our partners in the peace-making process," Arroyo said, adding that the BUC, a movement of Catholic and Christian bishops and Muslim ulmas, has helped to reconcile the Philippine government and the MILF.
The Middle East and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is supporting the Philippine government's interfaith dialogue with the MILF, said Arroyo.
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