UN welcomes ceasefire announcement by Colombia, rebel group

The United Nations welcomes the intention expressed by the government of Colombia and leftist FARC guerillas to establish a bilateral ceasefire by the end of the year, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, here Friday.

The Colombian government and FARC agreed Thursday to move up a definitive bilateral ceasefire to mid-December. The two sides have been aiming to reach a definitive peace deal by March 2016, preceded by a two-way ceasefire by Jan. 1.

"This would be a decisive step toward ending the conflict," Dujarric told a daily briefing.

In November 2012, the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) insurgents launched negotiations to end five decades of fighting. The fighting has claimed more than 200,000 lives and displaced millions of people.

According to the spokesperson, the UN and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) have been working with the parties, at their invitation, on the design of a monitoring and verification mechanism with the participation of the International Community.

"It is anticipated that the parties will soon finalize their discussions on this point so that a consensual request can be considered by the Security Council of the United Nations," said Dujarric.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon "hopes that the two sides will seize the upcoming round of talks in Havana as an opportunity to move forward on this point as well as all pending substantive issues," said Dujarric. "The Secretary-General reaffirms his commitment to the success of the peace process and will continue to lend all possible support through his Delegate." Endit