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Philippine President Benigno Aquino made an historic announcement Sunday saying a peace deal had been reached between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT BENIGNO AQUINO III SAYING:
"This framework agreement paves the way for final and enduring peace in Mindanao. It brings all former secessionist groups to the fold. No longer does the Moro Islamic Liberation Front aspire for a separate state."
Under the deal, a commission will draft a law that creates a new autonomous region in the Muslim dominated areas of southern Philippines.
The south's volatile and often violent politics could still hamper the plans if radical Islamic factions split off from the MILF and continue fighting.
After four decades of conflict and nearly 15 years of violence, analysts says the MILF leaders are ageing and are eager to see some resolution after years of negotiations.
The commission has until 2015 to draft the proposal which would require ratification through a referendum.
