UN urges Philippines to revive peace talks with militants

Manila: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon's special representative for children and armed conflict called on the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to resume peace talks owing to concerns on the use of child combatants in conflict areas and increase of number of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Southern Philippines.

Radhika Coomaraswamy, the UN special representative, told Philippine media she received assurance from both the rebels and the Philippine government on the revival of peace negotiations.

"We are encouraged that the peace process may resume anytime... We hope that's true," said Coomraswamy in a briefing with Philippine media yesterday.

The UN official met with government officials and rebel leaders who assured that the peace process will be revived soon.

Coomaraswamy deplored the recent increase in violence in Mindanao and the resulting casualties and displacements as she urged "all parties to the conflict to spare children and ensure that civilians are not caught in the crossfire".

The official visited an IDP camp in Mindanao where she noted miserable conditions. She also met with the rebels' chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal.