THE MORO Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) remains “strong and solid” despite reports of an impending split in its ranks over peace talks with the government.

MILF Chairman Murad Ibrahim has a “firm grip” on separatist fighters young and old, MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu told INQ7.net.

Concerns were raised that the young breed of MILF fighters were growing more radical and could be turned off by its elders forging a peace deal with the government.

“That is a very remote possibility,” Kabalu said.

“The MILF remains single, strong, and solid under the leadership of chairman Murad,” he said.

Kabalu said Murad served as MILF military commander for the longest time and he knew the pulse of his troops.

“Because of that, he has more control over them,” Kabalu said.

Murad replaced Salamat Hashim, who died of a heart attack in 2003.

Kabalu said Murad would ensure that the peace talks would be “acceptable” to all of its members.

The MILF broke away from

the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in the 1980s, which it accused of abandoning Muslim ideal of establishing an independent Islamic state in Mindanao.

In preparation for the resumption of peace talks in Malaysia, an international ceasefire monitoring team arrived in Mindanao last Sunday.