Calls for peace after Mindanao negotiation setback
Updated
Malaysia has called for maintaining peace in the Philippines after a setback in the negotiations for an autonomous Muslim region in Mindanao.
The agreement between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was set to be signed in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, but the Philippine Supreme Court blocked the signing through a temporary restraining order.
Catholic politicians in the south had asked the Court to make the order because they hadn't been consulted on the deal.
Malaysia has been brokering peace talks and its Foreign Minister Rais Yatim say he is disappointed by the development but hopes it's a purely temporary impasse.
The Moros insist the agreement is still binding despite the court order and accused Manila of lacking the capability of entering into a peace pact.
The MILF's chief peace negotiator, Mohaqher Iqbal, says the Front will still pursue the peace process.
