President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said Friday she has gained the support of several leaders from the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) for the immediate resumption of the Philippine government's peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Arroyo made the statement upon landing in Davao City following a two-day visit to Egypt to attend the 15th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh. She reported that she held a series of productive bilateral meetings with several heads of Muslim states at the sidelines of the conference. Arroyo said she had “fruitful discussions” with some OIC leaders, including Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sudan President Omar Al-Bashir, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, Moroccan Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi, and Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon. She said her cordial talks with the seven OIC leaders “make us even more hopeful that with the help of our allies for peace, the road towards lasting peace in Mindanao will be cleared with the resumption of peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.” Arroyo expressed optimism that peace talks with the MILF would resume soon. “The end of hostilities is within reach,” she said, adding that her government is working hard to ensure the success of the peace process in Mindanao. “There is nothing that I would wish more than for peace in Mindanao. It will really be a blessing for all the people for Mindanao both Christians and Muslims to be able to live in peace and harmony at last and to be able to build a new life of prosperity for today's children and generations to come,” she said. Pending the start of the GRP-MILF peace talks, the President said she has created a task force to assist the communities displaced by the armed conflict in Mindanao. At the same time, Arroyo said her government is pursuing a peace initiative with the local communist movement.
