Philippines to resume stalled peace talks

MANILA, Philippines, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- The president of the Philippines has called for the resumption of peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front separatist group.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Wednesday that while new talks will not take place at gunpoint, the newly reconstituted government peace panel is ready to resume the stalled negotiations with MILF leaders, the Philippine government reported.

Rafael Seguis, Philippine foreign affairs undersecretary and head of the government peace panel, is expected to travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with other top government officials to hold new talks in the presence of facilitators on bringing peace to the Philippines' southern Mindanao region.

"There is no alternative to peace," Arroyo said in a statement. "We are confident it (peace) will happen."