The Malaysian Government is committed to maintaining its active role in seeing a successful conclusion to the peace process between the Philippines and the MILF and welcomes the supporting role that the US hopes to play in helping achieve peace in the Southern Philippines, dispelling earlier reports that Malaysia was not amenable to giving the US a supporting role in the peace process.

These assurances were given by Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Dato Seri Abdullah Badawi and Foreign Minister Datuk Syed Hamid Albar during a lunch hosted by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacanang yesterday.

"I hope that by now it is very clear that contrary to some reports, Malaysia does welcome the offer of the United States to play a supporting role in the peace process. Both the Philippines and Malaysia have a clear idea of the role the US hopes to play, and it is a role that is most acceptable," Secretary Ople said.

The US has offered to provide financial and diplomatic support to the peace process and acknowledges that the primary role of facilitator belongs to Malaysia. The United States Institute for Peace, a non-governmental organization, has been tasked to provide such support.

"During the lunch, we were touched by the stated determination of Malaysia to help bring peace to the Southern Philippines. They hope to continue their role by heading the international monitoring team that will monitor the ceasefire while negotiations are going on. This will be a very important task and Malaysia is just undertaking final consultations before we receive their formal decision," Secretary Ople said.

Saying that international cooperation has been the key in resolving similar conflicts in other parts of the world, Secretary Ople expressed confidence that similar cooperation will lead to a lasting and principled peace with the MILF. END.