Misuari takes oath as governor

Misuari takes oath as governor

COTABATO, Philippines (AFP): Former Moslem rebel chief Nur Misuari yesterday took the oath as governor of a four-province Moslem autonomous area and was called "a friend and brother" by President Fidel Ramos, who had once fought against him.

Ramos administered the oath to Misuari, chairman of the former Moslem insurgent Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), in this southern city in festive but well-secured ceremonies.

In his speech, Misuari appealed to Moslems, Christians and tribal groups to work together to help the underdeveloped Moslem autonomous region catch up with the rest of the mostly Roman Catholic country.

"We are waging a new kind of war, a war in which... everyone would become victorious. All our people in this region... shall become participants... for this shall be war against backwardness, poverty, lawlessness and unresponsive government," he said.

Hundreds of MNLF fighters, still dressed in fatigues but not carrying their weapons, attended the ceremonies. Ramos, who as a military leader himself fought against Misuari-led forces, said "Governor Misuari shall have me as a friend and brother."