MANILA: The Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group has taken a crucial step in ending decades of conflict, formally submitting to the president a final proposal for self-rule that both it and Manila have agreed on, a presidential adviser said.

The two sides signed a deal in March to end nearly five decades of conflict on the resource-rich island of Mindanao but hopes for peace were thrown into doubt this month when the rebels accused the government of reneging on the pact.

But 10 days of negotiations rescued the deal under which the main rebel group — the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) — has agreed to disband and rebuild communities in exchange for powers over the economy and society in the Bangsamoro region.