MANILA, Jan 26: The Philippine government is seeking foreign help to try restart stalled peace talks with Muslim rebels, President Gloria Arroyo said on Monday.

In a speech at the national police headquarters in Manila, Arroyo said her government was seeking support from Brunei, Japan, Libya and Malaysia to try to restart the talks with the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“The peace panel has been directed to touch base with our facilitators, and the MILF leaders to schedule the resumption of peace talks,” Arroyo said.

“To advance peace and progress in Mindanao, as in the past, we hope to be able to count on the support of our partners... Brunei, Japan and Libya (and) Malaysia, which has been an ardent facilitator” in previous talks, she said.

She also cited the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Europe and the US in helping to revive talks with the MILF in the southern region of Mindanao.

Malaysia hosted peace talks after the MILF and Manila declared a ceasefire in 2003. Malaysia also sent ceasefire monitors to Mindanao, along with Brunei, Libya and Japan.

The peace process stalled in August after the Philippines’ Supreme Court struck down a draft accord with the MILF, prompting several MILF commanders to launch deadly attacks on Christian communities in Mindanao.

Arroyo cancelled talks with the MILF and said further peace negotiations should focus on the rebels’ disarmament and dialogue with affected communities.—AFP