Peace Update: Philippine President, Muslim rebel leader talk peace in Tokyo

Philippine President, Muslim rebel leader talk peace in Tokyo: "PRESIDENT of the Philippines Benigno Aquino III left the country unannounced on Thursday night to hold unprecedented talks with a Muslim rebel leader in Japan.

Mr Aquino met for two hours with Murad Ebrahim, chair of the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front, in a hotel near the Narita airport in Tokyo on Thursday evening, the first time a Philippine president has met face-to-face with a leader of the rebel group since on-and-off peace talks started 14 years ago.

They discussed ways to push the peace process forward, said Teresita Quintos-Deles, the presidential peace adviser, who was with Mr Aquino in Tokyo.

An official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not directly involved in the talks said the meeting was meant to give the peace talks 'a shot in the arm' and show support from the 'highest level'."