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Manila: A visiting member of the British parliament urged the Philippine government on Thursday to resume peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) with the appointment of new government peace negotiator.
Mark Pritchard, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group-Philippines, met senior diplomat Rafael Seguis, newly appointed government peace negotiator with the MILF, on the prospects of reviving peace talks with the rebels.
"We had positive discussions and given his [referring to Seguis] long experience as a diplomat dealing with Muslim issues, 2009 will be a year when peace finally comes to Mindanao," said Pritchard in an interview yesterday
The call for a final peace agreement with the rebels will be discussed by Pritchard, along with two British MPs, Elliot Morley and Graham Stuart, when they meet with President Arroyo in Malacanang on Friday.
Pritchard said the British government had similar experience with Islamic radicalism and with the Irish Republican Army (IRA), but successfully signed peace agreement.
Pritchard, along with two other MPs, also met with leaders of the Philippine government including presidential adviser on peace process Hermogenes Esperon, national defence Gilbert Teodoro, Catholic Bishop cardinal Rosales and senator Jinggoy Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile.
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