MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The leader of the largest Muslim rebel group in the southern Philippines said Monday that yearslong talks with the government have reached a “make or break” stage. Al Haj Murad Ibrahim expressed hope a peace accord could be reached but warned the guerrillas are ready to return to war if the negotiations fail.

Murad said his group, the 11,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and government negotiators will tackle difficult issues, including wealth and power-sharing and the size of an autonomous Muslim region, in the next round of talks brokered by Malaysia later this month. He spoke to reporters after the rebels held a four-day gathering of thousands of fighters and supporters to discuss the talks in their main stronghold in southern Maguindanao province.