Philippine government, Muslim royal clan discuss possible ways to end deadly Sabah crisis

MANILA, Philippines – 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.

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 cease-fire to allow talks aimed at resolving the weekslong Sabah standoff.

Malaysia has rejected earlier calls for a cease-fire and demanded that Kiram's younger brother, who led the invasion, lay down his armes.

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.