Norway hopes for resumption of peace talks between Phl gov't, leftist rebels

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende expressed hope today that the Philippine government and leftist rebel group Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) will resume stalled peace talks in the coming months.

Norway is the mediator in peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the leftist rebels.

"We're committed to continue as facilitator in (peace talks) as long as this is the interest of the government of the Philippines, " Brende told reporters in an interview.

He said he will be discussing "opportunities" to resume the stalled negotiations during his meeting with Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III in the afternoon.

"I think the presidency of Aquino is here for several years and we are looking into the opportunity to resume talks in the future, " said Brende.

Talks between the Philippine government and the CPP's negotiating arm, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, has been suspended since 2011 over the leftist rebels' demand for the release of some of their detained commanders.

The CPP has been waging war against the Philippine government for more than four decades.