Philippines:“The road to peace is long and difficult. However, in the face of adversities and challenges, we should remain focused on the objective,”

Army chief: Peace, justice can be pursued at the same time - The Philippine Star » News » Headlines: "The Philippine Army remains fully supportive of the peace process. We will continue to reach out to our brothers, to choose the peaceful path and those who do so merit our unwavering support.” Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista

However, Bautista said the Army would apply “legitimate force” against those who insist on using arms to threaten public safety. “Yes, we will seek justice against those who commit atrocities through appropriate calibrated and focused response, without necessarily jeopardizing the peace process and within the bounds of human rights, international humanitarian law and rule of law,” he said. “After all, the use of legitimate force within the government’s overall framework of achieving peace and security is within the ambit of the IPSP (internal peace and security plan) Bayanihan.” Bayanihan seeks to implement programs that address the roots of armed rebellion like poverty. It also encourages the private sector and civil society to join efforts aimed at improving the rural communities’ access to basic services."

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Rwanda: Leaders & diplomats of nine African countries, Haiti & Int'l Org find talked to find ways to build lasting peace

African Conference Discusses Peacebuilding | Africa | English: "Seventeen years ago last spring, Rwanda was the most violent place on earth. Today, Kigali parks are neatly manicured and people travel safely at any time of night. This week in Kigali, leaders from Sierra Leone, Liberia, Burundi, Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Haiti, South Sudan and Timor Leste traveled to Rwanda to learn how it’s done. Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza said that before peace can be sustainable, a country needs to maintain stability on the streets. Hundreds of thousands people were killed in the Burundian conflict that ended more than six years ago. Burundi remains one of the poorest countries on earth, and conflict remains a threat. "A multitude of Burundians were killed," said Nkurunziza. "Others were forced into exile. Property was looted, stolen. Infrastructure was destroyed and the government was also not spared.""

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Liberia Elections: Leaders Agree No More Violence on Election Day

"Distraught over the violence that marred the eve of Liberia’s elections, a tearful Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and the author of ‘Mighty Be Our Powers: How Sisterhood, Prayer, and Sex Changed a Nation at War,’ risked her life to force a meeting with Liberia’s leaders to help broker peace.

Today Liberians go to the polls in what will be a defining moment for their tenuous democracy. In a region bristling with weapons and tension, Liberia has managed eight years of peace and economic growth. The last five of them have been under the leadership of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first democratically elected woman serving as a head of state in Africa, and one of last month’s Nobel Peace Prize laureates. She is heavily favored to win the country’s runoff election today. And to everyone’s great relief, the atmosphere surrounding the election season has been mostly peaceful."

'via Blog this'Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Laureate, Brokers Peace for Liberia Elections - The Daily Beast: "

Sports is not about being champion. You can be champion of your community, you can be champion of your life - Legendary Runners Promote Peace & Sport

Legendary Runners Promote Peace And Sport At New York City Marathon - Forbes: "Three legendary runners—Paula Radcliffe, the current marathon world record holder; Tegla Loroupe, the first African woman to win the New York City marathon; and Wilson Kipketer, a triple 800-meter world champion–are using the 2011 New York City marathon to bring attention to Peace and Sport, a global group that aims to reconcile divided communities through sport."

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Update: Yemen: U.N. Security Council urged President Ali Abdullah Saleh to sign a deal requiring him to step down in exchange for immunity

UPDATE 2-Heavy fighting in Yemen after U.N. resolution - The Washington Post: "Witnesses also said at least five people were killed in overnight clashes between forces loyal to Saleh and soldiers led by Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, a general who broke ranks with Saleh after protests began in January. Gunmen loyal to tribal leader Sadiq al-Ahmar were also involved in the fighting.

Responding to the decision made by the U.N. Security Council, a Yemeni government source said Saturday that Sanaa remains committed to the gulf council’s peace plan and called for international help to ensure its implementation.

“The government of the Republic of Yemen is willing to deal positively with U.N. Security Council resolution 2014, for it conforms with the Yemeni government efforts to put an end to the political crisis on the basis of the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative,” a Yemeni government source said in a statement.

Saleh has backed down three times from signing the gulf initiative, which came after months of protests."

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Philippines, Muslim rebels agree to continue peace talks despite clashes - The Washington Post

Philippines, Muslim rebels agree to continue peace talks despite clashes - The Washington Post: "The rebel and government negotiators on Thursday also agreed to have Malaysian-led international monitors and the joint cease-fire committee investigate the Oct. 18 clash. Despite the rebel’s claim of Asnawi’s being cleared, the military said Wednesday it would continue to hunt for the guerrilla commander, who escaped from Basilan provincial jail in 2009. Col. Dickson Hermoso, head of the military office monitoring the peace talks, said the 11,000-strong Moro front would not be targeted itself, only rebels “who provide sanctuary or coddle these lawless elements.” Moro front vice chairman Ghazali Jaafar welcomed the international investigation into the Oct. 18 clash. “That means it will be an impartial investigation. That’s what we have been calling for all the while,” he told The Associated Press. Marvic Leonen described Thursday’s meeting as “a candid exchange where both sides cleared the air about pressing issues.” “We agreed to move forward on the substantive agenda and meet again very soon,” he said, without elaborating."

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Arab League: Syria agreed to terms of peace plan ending 7 months of bloodshed & opening dialogue w/ gov't opponents on ways to move toward democracy

Under the terms of the deal, Syria will withdraw the army from cities and towns, release all political prisoners and permit access to media, human rights groups and Arab monitors, according to a statement issued by the League. “We are happy to have reached this agreement, and we will be even happier when it is implemented immediately,” Qatari Prime Minister Sheik Hamad Bin Jasim al-Thani told a news conference after a ministerial meeting in Cairo. It was also unclear whether Syria had agreed to the Arab League’s demand that the negotiations with the opposition should be held in Cairo. President Bashar al-Assad’s government has in the past insisted that any talks should be held in Syria’s capital, Damascus, which his opponents say would put them at risk of detention. Under the plan, the dialogue is to begin in two weeks.

Arab League announces peace plan for Syria - The Washington Post: ""

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