MANILA — The Philippine government and Muslim rebel negotiators have resumed talks to try to resolve final differences and forge a long-awaited preliminary peace accord in the decades-long rebellion. Negotiator Mohagher Iqbal of the 11,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said at the talks' resumption Tuesday in Malaysia that the negotiations were “now on the home stretch and the smell of success is reinforced every day." Iqbal warned that if the talks are not concluded soon, opponents might endanger a final deal. A splinter rebel faction opposes any peace accord and some Christian politicians have been accused of undermining talks. Government negotiator Marvic Leonen expressed optimism that a peace deal can be achieved. The rebellion seeking autonomy for Muslims in the southern Philippines has left more than 120,000 people dead. The deal to end one of two long-running insurgencies in the Philippines could be signed as early as this week if the four-day talks in Malaysia are successful. A peace deal with the MILF would set up an expanded autonomous area for Muslims on Mindanao island, giving them more political and economic powers including a bigger share in revenues from natural resources and a more active role in internal security. “The road is not that long, but it's still very hard to tell if we will reach there," Iqbal told Reuters by text message late Monday. “But we are close to it." — Agencies
