Philippine President awards prestigious star to Indonesian Foreign Minister

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo awarded the prestigiousw `Order of Sikatuna` star to Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda.

"Minister Hassan Wirajuda received the star for his contribution to bridging and promoting peace in South Phillipines with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in 1993 to 1996," spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, Kristiarto Soeryo Legowo told ANTARA here on Wednesday.

The Indonesian government in mid-1990 was actively involved in settling the conflict between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front in South Philippines.

Indonesia along with the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) effectively acted as mediator to put an end to the two-decade separatist conflict in the South Phillippines.

On May 26-28, 2008 the government of Philippines, MNLF and OIC held a tripartite meeting in Manila in a bid to restore peace, security and stability in Mindanao, the South Philippines.

In the meantime, earlier this week the Philippine Government decided to free Nur Misuari, MNLF Chairman, on bail after several years of imprisonment.

The decision to free Nur Misuary was hailed by the OIC calling on both parties to continue the implementation of the 1996 peace agreement, meet their obligation and commitment set forth in the historic deal.(*) end