Fierce fighting with Philippines rebels

Officials in the Philippines say at least 24 members of the Abu Sayyaf rebel group have been killed in fierce fighting on two southern islands.

Military officials said at least 16 rebels, and one government soldier, were killed in clashes in a village Talipao on the Island of Jolo, where a patrol was attacked by guerrillas.

They said in a separate incident on the southern Island of Basilan that at least eight rebels were killed.

Thousands of troops have been deployed in Basilan against the Muslim rebels, who are believed to be holding a number of foreign and Filipino hostages.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service