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2nd LD Writethru: UN chief hails peace deal to world's longest armed conflict in Colombia

Xinhua, August 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday welcomed a deal reached by the Colombian government and the country's largest rebel group to end their armed conflict which lasted for more than five decades.

The secretary-general "warmly congratulates" Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Timoleon Jimenez, and their negotiating teams in Havana, capital of Cuba, for their hard work and patience, said a statement issued by Ban's spokesman.

Ban "also congratulates the many Colombian organizations and citizens who have contributed to the talks with their proposals and encouragement," the statement said.

The Colombian government and the FARC announced Wednesday that they have reached the final peace agreement to conclude their peace negotiations that have been held since November 2012 in Havana.

Four years ago, the Colombian government and the FARC set out to resolve one of the world's oldest armed conflicts through dialogue, the statement noted.

"Today, they announced they have concluded their negotiations and will deliver to the Colombian people the results of their discussions."

The secretary-general also commended the guarantors, Cuba and Norway, and accompanying countries Chile and Venezuela, for their unfailing support to the talks.

"Now that the negotiations have concluded, an equally determined and exemplary effort will be required to implement the agreements," the statement said.

The secretary-general also called on the international community to lend its full support to Colombia at this new and critical stage of the peace process.

According to the statement, the United Nations will strive to continue and intensify the support it has given to the peace efforts over the years through its agencies, funds, programs, and the UN Mission in Colombia, which is mandated to verify the ceasefire and the laying down of arms.

"We will stand with Colombia in its drive to build a future in peace," the statement said.

The conflict between the Colombian government and the leftist rebel group started in the 1960s as an uprising for land rights. It has left about 260,000 people dead, 45,000 missing and nearly 7 million displaced, according to official figures. Endi