Informal peace talks between the Philippine government and Muslim separatists are progressing "smoothly" in Malaysia, a spokesman for the rebels said yesterday.

"Talks are moving smoothly in Malaysia. It will last a few days under the watchful eyes of the Malaysian government," Eid Kabalu of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) told AFP by telephone from the southern Philippines.

"We hope Manila will withdraw the warrant of arrest and bounty placed on MILF leaders, including myself," he added.

Kabalu said the MILF would support the immediate deployment of a ceasefire monitoring team from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to promote peace in the region.

The real criminals

"Of course, Malaysia and other Asean countries could send their team immediately. They can witness with their naked eyes who are the real criminals," he said.

The informal talks are aimed at brokering a ceasefire between government forces and the rebels, who have been fighting for the establishment of an independent Islamic state in the southern Philippines since 1978.

Philippines President Gloria Arroyo has repeatedly accused the MILF of links to terrorist groups and has said formal peace talks cannot resume until the rebels hand over members wanted for a spate of bombings.

Kabalu said he was uncertain how long the meeting in Malaysia would last but said it would lay the groundwork for both MILF and Manila to return to the negotiating table.

"We hope we can resume the stalled talks. But the government is placing a lot of preconditions," he said. The exploratory talks are being held at a secret location in Malaysia. - AFP