Peace talks between the Philippine government and Muslim separatist rebels will resume in Malaysia in February, the leaders of Malaysia and the Philippines announced today.

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo said after talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Manila that they agreed to hold "a new round of exploratory talks" between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Frontin Kuala Lumpur "by the second week of February."

"The talks will strive to resolve outstanding issues and advance the overall climate of peace," Arroyo told a joint press conference with Abdullah.

She praised Malaysia for its role in mediating the peace talks with the MILF, which has been fighting for nearly three decades to set up a separate Islamic state in the southern third of the largely-Roman Catholic Philippines.

Securing peace

President Arroyo is seeking a political settlement with the 11,900-member MILF before a May 10 presidential election, in which she is seeking six more years in office.

The MILF has rejected allegations that it provided training and sanctuary to foreign militants from Jemaah Islamiah, blamed for the deadly Bali bombing in 2002 and other deadly attacks across Southeast Asia.

Abdullah said the MILF would soon be informed of their decision to hold the talks, adding "it is our intention that we want to move the peace process forward.

"It is our intention to see that peace has been secured," in the southern Philippines, near the maritime border with Malaysia. - AFP