MANILA : Muslim rebels have delayed their withdrawal from occupied villages in the southern Philippines citing security concerns, media reports said on Saturday.

Chief government negotiator Rodolfo Garcia told local government radio that members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in some villages were concerned about their security in the face of armed militias.

Their concerns followed brief firefights on Friday and Saturday with the local militias that are armed and trained by the Philippine military.

"The complication in the withdrawing is security," the negotiator said.

"We are fixing that now. I am very hopeful and confident this will be settled soonest," Garcia said.

According to Garcia, government troops have withdrawn from the disputed areas to give the rebels more time to move out.

The government gave the MILF rebels 24 hours to leave five towns and at least nine villages in North Cotabato province by noon (0400 GMT) Friday or risk being forced out by the military.

Some 6,000 people fled the area not wanting to be caught in any crossfire.

Sporadic skirmishes have erupted between MILF and government forces in the south since August 4 when the Supreme Court struck down an agreement that was meant to pave the way for a final political settlement to end MILF's 30-year fight for an independent Islamic state.

Peace negotiators and an international team monitoring the ceasefire between the MILF and the government began moving into the disputed area Saturday to ensure there is no further fighting.

Brigadier-General Reynaldo Sealana, who is part of the government's negotiating team, was quoted on the GMA television website saying "hundred of rebels have taken up defensive positions due to the fighting.

"But we have spoken to the MILF and they have assured us they will pull out." He did not give a time.

- AFP /ls