Associated Press
Tuesday, August 5, 2008

MANILA, Aug. 4 -- The Philippine Supreme Court, acting on a petition by Christian politicians, on Monday blocked the signing of a key accord granting an expanded southern homeland to minority Muslims as part of a deal to end decades of bloody Islamist rebellion.

The Philippine government and the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front were to sign the agreement Tuesday in Malaysia, which has been brokering the negotiations. The accord, which aims to expand an existing autonomous region to add 712 more villages, sparked protests from Christian residents.

A court spokesman said the court issued a temporary stay after Christian politicians objected to the accord because the government failed to publicly disclose its contents.