Colombia's FARC rebels call for bilateral ceasefire

Colombia's insurgents on Tuesday called on the government to join in a bilateral ceasefire, as recent clashes have threatened to derail more than two years of peace talks.

"Lamenting the news of fatal casualties in combat, which could have been averted with a bilateral ceasefire, we once again ask President (Juan Manuel) Santos to open the possibility of stopping the war, of reaching a truce in the fighting," said Ivan Marquez, leading negotiator of Colombia's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC).

The rebel group have declared a unilateral ceasefire on several occasions, arguing that constant casualties on both sides don't contribute to the talks' spirit of reconciliation and striking an ultimate peace deal.

Santos and Colombia's conservatives, however, fear that the rebels would rest and regroup during the lull.

Luis Carlos Villegas, the new defense minister that took office on Monday, replied to the FARC petition at a press conference in Bogota.

"I'm here for the hardest task a minister of defense can have: trying to end a war," said Villegas.

"But if peace isn't reached via political negotiation, I will also be ready to make this the most victorious period of the war for our military forces," he stressed.

The two sides have reached at least partial agreements on various issues, including agrarian reform and land redistribution, as well as the FARC's transition to a political party or movement.

The rebels have stepped up their attacks since the latest ceasefire in May, and the government forces have retaliated with offensives and bombings that have killed several guerrillas.

The half-century conflict has claimed more than 220,000 lives and displaced some 6 million people, according to official figures. Endi