Manila  - The Philippines government and Muslim separatist rebels have agreed to ensure the protection of civilians in the country's strife-torn southern region, a joint statement said Wednesday.

The agreement obliged government security forces and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to "refrain from intentionally targeting or attacking non-combatants" in times of fighting in the southern region of Mindanao.

It also called on both parties to refrain from attacking civilian properties, hospitals, schools, religious premises as well as food distribution centres and other civilian facilities.

The signing of the agreement was one of the preconditions set up by the MILF before returning to the negotiating table.

Peace talks between the government and the MILF have been stalled since August last year after guerrillas seized villages and attacked towns to protest the signing of a key territory agreement.

More than 300 people were killed in the attacks and subsequent fighting and more than 500,000 people were affected by the clashes.

The signing of the agreement was expected to boost efforts of the government to restart the peace talks.

The MILF has been fighting for the establishment of an independent Islamic state in the southern region of Mindanao. It entered into peace negotiations with government in 1997. (dpa)