Murad Ebrahim, said to be in his 60s, is the first MILF leader to visit the palace.

BBC: Philippines and Muslim rebels sign key peace plan

The Philippines has signed a framework peace plan with the country's largest Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

BBC: Philippines and Muslim rebels sign key peace plan

Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, now in his 70s and ailing, felt that his request to be consulted on the MILF agreement went unheard.

WSJ: Michael Vatikiotis: Malaysia the Moderate Peacemaker

The separatist war waged for the past 31 years by the MILF and other Muslim rebels on the Philippine island of Mindanao has caused around 120, 000 deaths.

ECONOMIST: A spreading menace | The

Just as Arafat has to control Hamas, Misuari must coax the MILF and the other militant groups to express their dissent at the polls rather than with pistols.

CNN: LETTERS AND COMMENT

In the final stages of the MILF's reconciliation with Manila, four states and four non-governmental organizations, including the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, supported an advisory panel called the International Contact Group.

WSJ: Michael Vatikiotis: Malaysia the Moderate Peacemaker

The framework deal was signed by the chief negotiators of the government and the rebels, and witnessed by President Benigno Aquino and MILF leader Murad Ebrahim at the presidential palace in Manila.

BBC: Philippines and Muslim rebels sign key peace plan

Mr Aquino has pledged to do all he can to bring peace to Mindanao - and the MILF knows that if an agreement is not reached now, a future president might not be as sympathetic to their cause.

BBC: Will Philippine rebel deal bring peace?

It also provides for the MILF to "undertake a graduated program for decommissioning of its forces" and says both sides would work for "reduction and control of firearms and the disbandment of private armies and other armed groups".

BBC: Philippines and Muslim rebels agree peace deal