Philippine government enters talks with rebels

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.

Government negotiator Marvic Leonen says the initial "framework agreement" with the 11,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front will be made public before it is signed.

The accord will contain general agreements on key issues, including the extent of power, revenues and territory to be granted to a Muslim-administered region.

Rebel negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said that a transition commission would be established after the signing to work out the details of the initial pact and a final accord may follow as early as three years later.

The rebellion has dragged on for decades.