President asks rebel aboard yacht

President asks rebel aboard yacht

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP): Philippine leader Joseph Estrada on Friday invited the chief of the country's largest remaining rebel group to visit him aboard the presidential yacht to make peace.

Estrada, who is in the south for a five-day visit, said preparations were being made for his possible meeting with Moro Islamic Liberation Front chairman Hashim Salamat, but that "nothing is final yet".

"I'm inviting him to come on the presidential yacht," Estrada told reporters in this southern port city. He also assured Salamat of his safety should he decide to accept the invitation for peace talks.

"Only four of Salamat's escorts will be allowed to come on the ship. It's a matter of trust with each other, so he doesn't need armed bodyguards," Estrada said.