MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government and Muslim rebel negotiators agreed Thursday to continue talks to end the decades-long separatist rebellion in the country's troubled south after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo steps down later this month.
In their final meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the current government peace panel and representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed a declaration to pursue a political settlement, a Philippine foreign affairs official said.
Congress is expected next week to officially proclaim opposition Senator Benigno Aquino III, the son of the country's democracy icons, as Arroyo's successor after last month's national elections.
