MANILA - Philippine President Gloria Arroyo met with a Filipino sultan today in connection with the Philippines claim on Sabah, telling him that reclaiming the territory will take a "long, long time", a presidential aide said.

Sultan Jamalul Kiram and a brother, their wives and 36 other relatives held a luncheon meeting with Arroyo at Malacanang palace, said presidential adviser Norberto Gonzales, who was also at the meeting.

"What the president has advised the family (was), the sovereignty rights would take a long long time. We don't know when that will happen," Gonzales told reporters.