Philippines ceasefire deal signed

The Philippines Government and Muslim separatist rebels have signed a ceasefire which could lead to an end of decades of fighting.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in her first overseas trip since taking office, met Murad Ibrahim, chief of staff of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, after the pact was signed in Malaysia.

The agreement leaves just one Muslim group still fighting for independence from the largely Roman Catholic country - the extremist Abu Sayyaf, which is currently holding dozens of hostages.

In a joint communique, negotiators said: "The guidelines not only silence the guns for the peace of mind of the people.

"These also prohibit all public pronouncements that will tend to undermine the sincerity of credibility of both parties in waging peace.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said: "We hope both sides will use this as the momentum to work harder to achieve comprehensive peace."

More talks, on economic development for Muslim areas, are due to begin in the first week of September. An estimated 120,000 people have been killed in the rebellion and tens of thousands displaced.