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Colombia's president dedicates Nobel Peace Prize to victims of armed conflict

Xinhua, October 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos, who won the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, dedicated his award to the millions of victims of armed conflict in the country for their dedication to achieving peace.

Speaking from the presidential palace in Bogota, Santos said the Nobel Prize "is for the victims and for there not to be one more victim, one more death. We must reconcile and united to end this process and begin to build a stable and lasting peace."

"I am infinitely grateful...for this honorable distinction. I receive it, not in my name, but in the name of all Colombians, especially for the millions of victims...who have suffered for over 50 years. Colombians, this prize is yours," he said.

Accompanied by his wife, Maria Clemencia Rodriguez, the president also thanked negotiators from the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for their efforts over four years of negotiations in Havana.

Santos called on all Colombians to unite to permanently end the war and leave behind the difficult situation the country is facing after a narrow rejection of the peace agreement in Sunday's referendum.

"Peace is close. Peace is possible. This is the hour of peace. Together, as a nation, we will succeed in building it. I invite you all to combine our strength, our minds and our hearts for this great national proposal so that we all win the most important peace: peace in Colombia," he said.

The Colombian president, 65, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, among 376 candidates, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Pope Francis. Enditem