U.S. congratulates Colombian gov't on ceasefire deal with rebels

The United States on Thursday congratulated the government of Colombia on reaching a ceasefire agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group.

The Colombian government and the FARC on Thursday signed a historic ceasefire agreement in Havana, Cuba, bringing the country's half-century civil war closer to an end.

The agreement sets up mechanisms for the FARC to disarm and transform to a political party or movement, although the disarmament process will not begin until a definitive peace treaty is signed.

"Although challenging issues remain as the two sides continue negotiating a final peace agreement, today's announcement represents important progress in ending Colombia's 52-year conflict," Susan Rice, U.S. President Barack Obama's National Security Advisor, said in a statement.

She hailed the progress as a testament to the "courage and leadership" shown by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos during four years of difficult negotiations.

"President Santos deserves credit for his courage, leadership, and unwavering commitment to peace," U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a separate statement.

The agreement was reached after nearly four years of peace negotiations in Havana, which hosted the talks, and encouraged the Colombian government and rebels to set aside fighting and adopt peaceful, democratic means of resolving their disputes.

Kerry said he recognized the hard work of the negotiating teams and the constructive role played by the governments of Norway and Cuba, who have served as guarantors of the peace process. Enditem