Asia-Pacific News
Court allows jailed Muslim leader to attend talks in Jeddah
Jul 9, 2007, 8:39 GMT
Manila - A lower court allowed on Monday a jailed Muslim leader to attend a tripartite meeting in Saudi Arabia which will evaluate the implementation of a decade-old peace agreement between the Philippine government and Muslim rebels.
Makati regional court Judge Winlove Dumayas granted the request of Nur Misuari, chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), to represent the MNLF in the talks with representatives of the government and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).
The talks, which will be held in Jeddah from July 17 to 19, will assess the implementation of the 1996 peace agreement between the MNLF and the Philippine government.
The MNLF accused the government of failing to implement key provisions of the pact, particularly those pertaining to the development of conflict areas in the southern region of Mindanao.
Misuari led a failed revolt in 2001 which killed more than 100 people on the island of Jolo, to protest the government's failure to implement the peace agreement.
He was jailed a few months later and is facing charges of rebellion.
Misuari and his spiritual adviser Ustadz Abu Haris Usman, were scheduled to leave for Jeddah on July 16.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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