Muslims, Christians reach peace deal

PALU, Central Sulawesi: Hundreds of Muslim and Christian figures meeting at the Poso Military District office concluded a peace deal on Thursday and pledged to stop violence, which has been ravaging the regency of Poso for the last three years.

Sponsored by a reconciliation team for Poso, the religious leaders' meeting was filled with emotion. "They embraced with each other like brothers who had been missing each other. It was like a reunion," the team leader, Gumiyadi, said.

He said the Muslims were led by H. Yahya Mangun, while Rev. J. Santo led the Christians.

Sectarian clashes in Poso have claimed thousands of lives, while the regional and central governments have not been able to stop them, despite their intensive efforts.

Gumiyadi told reporters that the meeting resulted in two important points. "The first is that the warring groups must demonstrate their sincere goodwill to maintain and create peace, the second is that they must stop any kind of violence in the land of Poso."

"Other evaluation meetings will be held periodically," he said. (24/sur)