Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari Monday said he ordered MNLF forces in Mindanao, particularly in Basilan, to stay put and avoid being drawn to the current crisis.

The MNLF leader and his party, including his wife Bai Tarhata Arshad Ibrahim, Prof. Mashur Ghalib Bin Jundam, lawyer Randolph Parcasio, were at the Dohan International Airport on their way to Tripoli, Libya, for a meeting with representatives of the Philippine government.

Misuari, who is running for governor in Sulu under the Bangon Pilipinas Party (BPP) of standard bearer Bro. Eddie Villanueva, to the Manila Bulletin that he was worried about the possibility of the conflict spreading ahead of the May 10 local and national elections.

"In view of the conflicting reports we received about the prospects of the elections and which point to some possibility of a crisis situation, I gave general instructions to our forces not to be drawn into the situation. Just stay put and evade any possible provocations," said Misuari.

He was referring to the series of bomb attacks in Basilan last week that killed 15 people and wounded several others.

The MNLF leader said intelligence reports that MNLF forces gave him point to an attempt to eliminate Basilan Governor Jum Akbar, but added he could not confirm it.

Fortunately, she escaped harm, he said.

There were mixed signals the incident was politically motivated, Misuari said.

“I don't know any connection with the powers that be. But I understand there was an attempt on Governor Jum Akbar,” he said.

The MNLF will be in Tripoli on April 20 for peace talks under the auspices of the government of Al-Fateh Revolution Leader Col. Muammar Al-Gadhafi.

Secretary Annabelle T. Abaya of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) heads the government delegation with Undersecretary Nabil Tan, Assistant Secretary Camilo "Bong" Montesa, and Rommel Romato who will represent Ambassador Rafael Seguis.

Other MNLF senior leaders are Dr. Parouk Hussin, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Commissioner Hatimil Hassan, and Abdul Sahrin.

In Tripoli, Abaya and Misuari are to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOU) for the implementation of the 1996 final peace agreement.