Malaysia's foreign minister says his country's peace monitors in the southern Philippines province of Mindanao will begin a phased withdrawal in two days.

Mr Rais Yatim, who is in Manila, says his government is unable to continue the mission.

Earlier, he held talks with Philippine President Gloria Arroyo and foreign secretary Alberto Romulo.

They have asked Malaysia to continue to support the peace process after the pullout.

Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front struck a deal last November to create a Muslim homeland in the country's south but further talks have been unsuccessful.

Malaysian troops have made up the bulk of an international team that has been monitoring the ceasefire since 2004.

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