The Philippines is hopeful for Libya’s sustained and deepening participation in the International Monitoring Team (IMT) to help in the peace process in Mindanao.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said the actual deployment of Libyan peace monitors will depend on mutually agreed arrangements with the proper levels of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Libya has agreed to send 25 ceasefire monitors to assist and sustain the ceasefire in Mindanao. The Libyan government will send an initial contingent of four monitors.
At present, six Libyan monitors are assigned to man the IMT site in Iligan City and the arrival of four more will complete the 10-member contingent Libya committed in 2004.
“We welcome this good news. We thank this gesture of faith on our peace process and we continue to hope for Libya’s sustained and deepening participation in the IMT,” Dureza said. “We are confident that all sectors will welcome this positive development.”
Dr. Salem Adam, special envoy to Mindanao of the Tripoli-based Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation, said that Libya, through the foundation, is ready to assume the IMT’s leadership when Malaysia pulls out its peacekeepers in Mindanao.
Adam said the Philippine government has sought Libya’s assistance to take the lead role in the peacekeeping mission in Mindanao.
The foundation, headed by Saiful Gaddafi, son of Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi, is Libya’s peace and development arm for Muslim-dominated communities such as those in Mindanao.
The Philippines expressed optimism for the continuation of Malaysia’s facilitation of the peace talks, particularly as the peace process shift from ceasefire monitoring to development interventions.
Malaysia plays dual roles in the peace process with the MILF, as facilitator/convener and as leader of the IMT.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo told Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim during his visit to Manila last week that the Philippines accepted Malaysia’s decision to withdraw from its second role, but hoped that Malaysia would continue to be a facilitator.