MANILA, Jan. 20 Kyodo Philippine ...

MANILA, Jan. 20 Kyodo

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Tuesday that Malaysia will innkeeper exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur in the inferior week of February between the Philippine dominion and the Moro Islamic Liberation face (MILF).

Arroyo told a joint pres discourse alongside Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi that the talks ''will strive to interpret outstanding issues and advance the overall climate of peace.''

The MILF is a 12000-strong rebel dispose that has been waging war in the southern Philippines for an independent Islamic state.

Arroyo's control is hoping the next globular of talks will lead to formal peace dialogue before presidential elections in May, Arroyo's chief negotiator Silvestre Afable said.

Malaysia has legioned previous sessions that led to preliminary peace agreements between Manila and the Muslim guerillas.

The sum of two units leaders, speaking after their meeting at the Malacanang presidential palace, said they also agreed to push forward with a 825 million peso (about $15 million) joint oil exploration project

They said Petronas, Malaysia's national stone oil oil corporation, will explore and drill for oil offshore in Mindoro Province, toward the south of Manila.

Petronas' investment will constitute 85% of the total capital for the throw out while Philippine National Oil Co will provide 15% released equity.

Arroyo said she chance of the desired ends the project will help her abiding habitation go beyond the 53% spiritedness self-sufficiency level achieved so far in a less degree than her watch.

Vincent Perez Arroyo's efficacy secretary, said that if the Petronas-led exploration is prosperous the project may help the Philippines achieve its targeted 56% animation self-sufficiency level in 10 years.

Abdullah arrived Monday in Manila for a two-day visit as part of his tour of other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, which include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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