Philippine government, Sulu clan discuss ways to end Sabah crisis

MANILA (AP) - A Muslim royal clan leader has met a top Philippine government official to discuss possible ways of resolving a deadly crisis that started when his brother and 200 others barged into a village in Malaysia's Sabah state to revive an old claim to the territory.

Mr Esmail Kiram II told The Associated Press on Monday that in his talk with Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, he reiterated the need for Malaysia to agree to a ceasefire to allow talks aimed at resolving the weeks-long Sabah standoff.

Malaysia has rejected earlier calls for a ceasefire and demanded that Mr Kiram's younger brother, who led the invasion, and his followers lay down their arms.

Malaysian officials say at least 62 people have been killed in sporadic clashes between Sabah authorities and the Filipino clansmen hiding in Sabah's hinterlands.