Colombian president urges FARC to provide fixed date for disarmament

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Monday demanded that the FARC give "a fixed, precise and clear date by which they will finish the disarmament process," as part of attempts to end over 50 years of internal conflicts.

"Today, I have to clearly explain the government's reasons for not signing. The government demands that the FARC put down their arms and take a step toward legality," the president said at a press conference.

According to Santos, the peace negotiations in Havana, Cuba, cannot conclude "as long as this date remains open."

The two sides have missed the March 23 deadline for a peace deal as a result of significant differences over some issues between the authorities and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

On Sept. 23 last year, Santos and the top FARC leader, Timoleon Jimenez, had a historic meeting in Havana, agreeing to reach a peace deal by March 23.

"We wish to reach a lasting peace that we have searched for during many years. We are close and must continue with determination and total responsibility," he added.

Santos has recently announced that once a final peace treaty is signed with the FARC and its 17,500 men are demobilized, different rehabilitation programs will welcome them.

Colombia's Congress has also passed a public order law, which allows the government to create a special zone to welcome demobilized rebels and to suspend capture orders against FARC members who agree to abide by the treaty.

The peace talks, which have been going on in Cuba since November 2012, are seeking to end 52 years of conflicts in the country, which have killed over 220,000 people and displaced more than 6 million others. Endi