The Philippines goverment will resume talks with the separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, in the south later this month.

The negotiations are a step towards resolving a decades old conflict and bringing peace to the region.

Talks have been ongoing for some time, but a little-known fact is the important role that Muammar Gaddafi, the late Libyan leader, played in negotiating peace in the southern Philippines.

Gaddafi's death in 2011 is expected to have a wide-ranging impact on the Moro independence campaign.

Al Jazeera's Marga Ortigas reports from Manila.