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UN chief encouraged by prospects for Columbia to reach peace deal

Xinhua, January 31, 2015 Adjust font size:

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Friday he is encouraged by the upcoming resumption of peace talks between the Colombian government and the largest rebel group in the country.

The Colombian government is pursuing a bilateral cease-fire with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The peace talks are expected to resume in Havana, Cuba next week.

"The Secretary-General is encouraged that the year has begun with optimism in Colombia about the prospects for reaching a peace agreement in 2015," said a statement from Ban's spokesperson, adding that Ban welcomes the importance attached by both parties to de-escalating the military confrontation.

The FARC, founded in the early 1960s by poor landless farmers, is fighting for better conditions in rural Colombia. Last month, the FARC declared an indefinite unilateral ceasefire effective from Dec. 20, 2014.

Ban said he hoped this important gesture can be maintained and praised Columbian President Juan Manuel Santos' decision to begin discussions that could lead to a bilateral cease-fire.

"Both parties are encouraged to persist in their talks on the possible implementation of humanitarian measures to diminish the intensity of the conflict," said Ban, stressing the UN's full support to the country's peace process. Endite