President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's envoy returned on Thursday with a date for the deportation of renegade Muslim leader Nur Misuari, accused by the Philippines government of renewing his armed struggle in Jolo and Zamboanga City, five years after signing a peace settlement with the government in 1996.

Arroyo had sent Presidential Adviser on Special Concerns Norberto Gonzales to hold a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Mohammed Mahathir in Kuala Lumpur last Tuesday, a source told Gulf News, adding they had agreed on the date of Misuari's deportation, following his arrest for illegal entry in Sabah's Jampiras Island on November 24.

When asked if Mahathir gave a date for the deportation of Misuari, Arroyo said: "Maybe he did, but for security reasons, I will not divulge the detailed portion of the message."

Some government officials are working for Misuari's return earlier than December 24, because of its implication. It is the eve of Christmas day.

"To bring home and incarcerate a Muslim leader on the eve of Christmas could fan the so-called Muslim-Christian conflict in the country," said a source who requested for anonymity.

Misuari's return would be "soon", said another source, but refused to give more details.

Earlier, the government said it is making final arrangements to get Misuari from the custody of Malaysian authorities on or before December 24.

Meanwhile, Arroyo has called for the creation of a special team to fetch Misuari from Malaysia. It will be composed of representatives from the military, the police and the departments of justice and foreign affairs.

Gonzales will not be included in the team because of the animosity between him and Misuari.

Earlier, Misuari accused Gonzales of implementing a divide and rule policy in the MNLF, adding the latter wanted to destroy the unity of the MNLF for "selfish reasons".

Sources said Gonzales was behind the creation of the MNLF Council of 15 which ousted Misuari as MNLF Chairman in April this year.

Parouk Hussin, MNLF's foreign minister, led the group that ousted Misuari. After getting support from the Arroyo administration, he won as the ARMM governor in the November 26 polls.

In her yesterday's radio interview, Arroyo back-tracked from an earlier praise for Misuari and said: "Misuari is still a security threat and has to be tried."

Arroyo has said Misuari should be treated with dignity because of his historical role in forging a peace settlement with the government in 1996.

"He has very few followers now. They were angry because Misuari abandoned them. They are now talking with the government. The important thing is the government is open for reconciliation with the followers," Arroyo said, in reference to the government's effort to bring the Misuari followers back to the fold of the law.

Hundreds of forces loyal to Misuari attacked the Army headquarters in Jolo, Sulu on November 19, and the Air Force headquarters, which led to a short-lived hostage taking in Zamboanga City on November 27.

The attacks were in reaction to the holding of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) last November 26, which Misuari had been contesting, adding the polls should be held in 2003.

Misuari was arrested for illegal entry in Sabah on November 24. A Malaysian law says he cannot be detained longer than a month if charges are not filed against him.

The Malaysian authorities cleared him of his alleged links with the Abu Sayyaf group that abducted 13 Malaysians, with 27 mostly foreign tourists from Sabah's Sipadan and Indanan islands in April and in July last year.