MANILA, 10 March 2007 — The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) yesterday asked the Philippine government to allow detained Filipino Muslim leader Nur Misuari to attend a tripartite meeting scheduled in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in July.

Sayed El-Masry, a special envoy of the influential group, said Misuari's presence in essential in the July 10-15 gathering that will review a peace pact forged by Manila and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) of Nur Misuari on Sept. 2, 1996.

The OIC, which brokered the peace talks, said the pact need to be reviewed because of complaints that implementation has been slow.

“Nur Misuari is the chairman of the MNLF and so he should be there in all the talks regarding the peace agreement,” El-Masry told reporters after meeting with Misuari and government officials in Manila.

El-Masry said the OIC has asked the Philippines to allow Misuari to travel to Jeddah for the meeting, and that Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza and Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno promised to help.

Misuari was arrested in late 2001 on rebellion charges after his followers launched deadly attacks in the southern island of Jolo and nearby Zamboanga City after the government of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo reject his calls for an extension of his term as governor of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Misuari fled to Sabah after the deadly attacks but was detained by Malaysian authorities and deported to the Philippines, where he was subsequently charged with rebellion.

Misuari’s lawyers will ask for a dismissal of the case if no evidence is produced, El-Masry said yesterday.

The Philippines earlier wanted the talks held in Manila, but agreed to the OIC proposal to open the meeting in Jeddah then move it to Manila, he said.

The Philippines earlier wanted the talks held in Manila, but agreed to the OIC proposal to open the meeting in Jeddah then move it to Manila, he said.

A joint communique issued by El-Masry and Dureza said the Philippine government proposed that the review focus on Phase 2 of the accord. That phase deals with the legislative, executive and budgetary powers of the autonomous region as well as representation in the national government.

During his visit to the southern Philippines last year, El-Masry complained about the slow implementation of the 1996 agreement. The MNLF has accused the government of not fulfilling its end of the deal.

The MNLF dropped its demand for independence in favor of limited autonomy when it signed the accord, which put five predominantly Muslim provinces and a city in the south into an autonomous region. Misuari became the first governor of that autonomous region.

But the area has remained impoverished, and plagued by violence and divisions.

A faction of the MNLF on Jolo Island, Misuari’s stronghold, continues to hold weapons and has periodically clashed with government troops. At times, it has been suspected of aiding Al-Qaeda-linked militants.

Last month, an MNLF commander held a Philippine Marine commander and 19 companions virtually hostage for two days until officials gave assurances the OIC and the government would push through with the long-delayed plan to meet with the MNLF to review the 1996 pact. (With a report by the Associated Press)