<p>The Philippine government and Muslim rebels agreed a deal to end a 40-year conflict that has killed more than 120,000 people, President Benigno Aquino said, paving the way for a political and economic revival of the country’s troubled south.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The agreement begins a roadmap to create a new autonomous region in the south of the mainly Roman Catholic country before the end of Aquino’s term in 2016, giving the Muslim-dominated area greater political powers and more control over resources.<br /><br />Expectations are high that after nearly 15 years of violence-interrupted talks, both the government and rebel group will keep their pledges in the agreement.</p>
<p>The Philippine government and Muslim rebels agreed a deal to end a 40-year conflict that has killed more than 120,000 people, President Benigno Aquino said, paving the way for a political and economic revival of the country’s troubled south.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The agreement begins a roadmap to create a new autonomous region in the south of the mainly Roman Catholic country before the end of Aquino’s term in 2016, giving the Muslim-dominated area greater political powers and more control over resources.<br /><br />Expectations are high that after nearly 15 years of violence-interrupted talks, both the government and rebel group will keep their pledges in the agreement.</p>