Philippines to ask UK to help peace deal
Updated
The Philippines will ask the United Kingdom to help handle the volatile peace talks with the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF.
Our reporter in Manila, Shirley Escalante, says skirmishes have erupted between security forces and the rebels in the southern Philippines, causing deaths and the displacement of thousands of civilians.
Philippine President Gloria Arroyo plans to invite former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to the Philippines to discuss the peace process with the MILF.
President Arroyo noted Mr Blair's central role in negotiations with the Irish Republican Army that resulted in disarming its members two years ago.
But a Philippine senator criticized the plan, saying it was a misguided approach to the conflict which was more of a geographical dispute between Filipino Muslims and Catholics.
Clashes have erupted in the south since a scheduled signing if a homeland deal with the MILF was halted.
