Manila: Moro and government peace negotiators moved closer to sealing a peace deal, with President Benigno Aquino himself suggesting that a possible breakthrough could be as close as a properly worded pact.

"It's really a question of semantics," Aquino said. "They [Moro Islamic Liberation Front] have a phraseology that we are not exactly comfortable with; we have phraseology that they think is a little bit weak," he said without elaborating.

"But I think, in substance, we are on the same level, on the same plane and we will get closer and closer to that meeting of the minds, with everybody's assistance, of course," he added.

Prospects towards a negotiated settlement to the two-decades old conflict appeared brighter than before amid talks in Kuala Lumpur that concluded on Wednesday, the 23rd round of formal exploratory talks. The parleys concluded yesterday.

Aquino had earlier said that he is "reasonably confident that we are both [government and MILF] after the same goal which is the attainment of a just peace".

MILF acknowledgment

MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal for his part, said that "the talks have moved forward," but both parties still have a long way to go before a final pact to ultimately end hostilities and draw the participation of Moro and other interest groups is sealed.

"Hard and prolonged discussions for the past three days is just a tip of the iceberg," he added. Malaysian facilitator Tengku Dato' Ab Gafar Tengku Mohammad also conveyed the same confidence. "I see some light, progress towards achieving real and lasting peace."

Malaysia as well as the International Crisis Group, served as third party negotiators in the talks.

Earlier, government of the Philippines peace panel chair Marvic Leonen optimistically challenged the MILF to agree to a peace pact by 2012.

"This administration is looking forward to forge a negotiated political settlement in the first quarter of next year," he said.

Leonen described the latest round of formal talks as productive. "I agree with my counterpart [Mohagher Iqbal] that we have moved forward. The exchange between the two parties in the past three days has been frank, cordial and very professional."

"We have laid our cards on the table, talking straight following daang matuwid [straight path] or Al Sirat Al Mustaqim," he said.

"We have now to build a stronger partnership — a partnership built on the strength of both — government and MILF. We agree with the MILF that any partnership should be sought in the shortest possible time to real autonomy."

The government panel chair said he envisions the peace agreement with the MILF as "inspired by the Islamic virtue of Amanah Qilafah or trust, stewardship and accountability".

"It is in that spirit that we made a proposal to the MILF," he added.