Peace talks between the Philippine government and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will begin in April, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said today.

Syed Hamid said the decision was reaced after a meeting from Thursday between Philippines officials and the MILF in Kuala Lumpur.

"The peace talks will begin in April. It is expected to be held in Malaysia," he told reporters.

Advance team

Malaysia has been hosting and mediating talks between Manila and the 11,900-member MILF, which has been fighting for more than two decades to set up an Islamic state in the southern third of the largely-Christian Philippines.

Syed Hamid said Malaysia would immediately send an advance team of military observers to Mindanao in the southern Philippines to monitor the ceasefire agreement between the two sides.

"I hope the team can be sent as soon as possible to report on the requirements for the international monitoring team that will be sent after the peace agreement is inked," the minister said. - AFP