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Norway accepts membership in GRP-MILF monitoring team


Peace efforts between the government of the republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have been further boosted with Norway's entry into the picture. The MILF said Saturday Norway has formally accepted membership in the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team (IMT), which monitors a GRP-MILF ceasefire. "The confirmation was contained in a letter of the Norwegian ambassador to the Philippines, Knot Solem, addressed to GRP Peace Panel Chairman Ambassador Rafael Seguis and copy furnished to his counterpart in the MILF," the MILF said in its website. Earlier, Norway conditionally accepted the offer of the government and MILF Peace Panels to join the IMT. However, the MILF said Norway is interested to join the security component of the IMT. Last April 21, the government and MILF urged Norway to head the Civilian Protection Component of the IMT. The IMT has four components including security, socio-economic, humanitarian, and civilian protection. A fifth component was rendered non-operational after Canada was admitted but lost interest afterward. Canada was chosen to head governance for its successes in handling the issues in French-speaking Quebec Province and the aboriginal peoples like the Metis and Inuits. At present, Norway is also facilitating peace talks between the National Democratic Front (NDF) and government. — LBG, GMANews.TV

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