Muslim rebels and the Philippine government overcame decades of bitter hostilities and took their first tentative step towards ending one of Asia’s longest-running insurgencies today.

About 200 Muslim rebels led by their elusive chief have arrived in the Philippine capital for the signing of a preliminary peace pact aimed at ending one of Asia’s longest-running insurgencies.

Philippine government and Muslim guerrilla negotiators are drafting a preliminary peace agreement that can be signed this year, but the insurgents say they will not disarm until a final pact is concluded in a few years.