Filipino rebels turn to Malaysia to advance talks

MANILA, Philippines—Muslim rebels in the Philippines say they will wait for a Malaysian facilitator to try to narrow the gap between them and the Philippine government before resuming peace talks.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said Tuesday that the positions of the two sides are so far apart that instead of meeting for another round of talks they want the facilitator from Malaysia to step in.

Iqbal said the government has proposed September 13 for their next meeting in Kuala Lumpur and is waiting for the rebels to respond.

At their latest talks last month, the rebels turned down a government proposal to grant them autonomy without constitutional changes. The rebels say they want a substate that may require amendments to the charter.