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Malaysia calls for Philippines peace as deal halted
Malaysia called on Tuesday for maintaining peace in the Philippines, despite a temporary order by the Philippine Supreme court that stopped a territorial deal between the government and Muslim separatists.
- Agencies
- Published: 09:40 August 5, 2008
Putrajaya, Malaysia: Malaysia called on Tuesday for maintaining peace in the Philippines, despite a temporary order by the Philippine Supreme court that stopped a territorial deal between the government and Muslim separatists.
The latest setback for peace in southern Philippines came just a day before the agreement between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was set to be signed in Malaysia.
Malaysia has been brokering the talks between the two sides, and the proposed deal was meant to formally re-open negotiations to end a near 40-year deadly conflict.
"There ought not to be violence," Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim told reporters in Malaysia's administrative capital, Putrajaya.
Expressing his disappointment over the halting of the landmark deal, Rais said he hoped that it was a "purely temporary impasse".
Philippine Foreign Minister Alberto Romulo, who was due to witness the signing but instead held talks with his Malaysian counterpart, said the pact was constitutional.
"We stand by that, that is why we are confident our supreme court will find this to be resolved," he said.
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