FARC's unilateral ceasefire important yet not enough: Colombian president

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos hailed on Wednesday the one-month unilateral ceasefire announced by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) starting on July 20, after weeks of intensive guerrillas' offensive attacks against the authorities and oil infrastructure across the country.

"I appreciate this gesture, but it is not enough," the Colombian head of state said in a press conference.

Santos said that it is very important that the peace negotiations speed up accordingly, as he wanted to end the 50-year-long conflict, the oldest one in the South American continent, as soon as possible.

He said both sides need to accelerate negotiations to reach a bilateral and definitive cease fire.

A UN body in Colombia also welcomed the unilateral ceasefire announcement, saying that it represents a first significant step toward the de-escalation of hostilities, so necessary at this point the peace process.

Last month, the FARC increased their actions against the oil and energy infrastructure, leaving several municipalities in blackouts and causing environmental damage with oil spilled in rivers and streams.

The government of President Santos began a peace process with the FARC, the largest guerrilla group in Colombia, and their talks had lasted for over two years. Endi