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Colombian peace talks represents a light of hope for world: president

Xinhua, September 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

Colombia's peace talks represent a light of hope for the world, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos told world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly General Debate here Tuesday.

"Our talks with the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) guerrillas ... offer a light of hope in a world overshadowed by war violence, and terrorism," Santos said at the annual high-level of the UN General Assembly, which entered its second day here Tuesday.

The Colombian government and the rebel FARC has agreed upon a deadline for signing the agreement that will bring an end to the-half-century-old armed conflict, he said.

"It will be on the very latest March 23, 2016, that means in less than 6 months from now," he added.

The peace deal, he added, will also help Colombia to free itself from the coca plant. The guerrilla forces will begin to help eradicate the illegal crops rather than protecting them, said Santos.

Santos also expressed thanks to the international community for "their support of our peace efforts."

Over the past more than 50 years, an estimated 220,000 people have been killed and more than 6 million others displaced in the civil war. Enditem