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UN chief commends efforts by Colombian government, rebels to sign revised peace accord

Xinhua, November 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday commends the efforts by the government of Colombia and the rebel group to signed a revised peace accord Saturday after years of negotiations and a half a century of conflict.

"The secretary-general commends the efforts by the government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP) to conclude a modified peace agreement that incorporates many of the proposals of the groups representing Colombians who voted 'No' in the 2 October plebiscite," said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesman.

The secretary-general also acknowledged the many groups and individuals in Colombian society who came forth with proposals to modify the texts and who took part constructively in the dialogue process, the statement said.

"Throughout this exercise, Colombians have listened to one another and have reaffirmed their collective desire for peace," the statement said. "They now have a new opportunity to go forward on this road to peace more unified than before."

Meanwhile, the secretary-general also commended the parties for maintaining firm their commitment to the cease-fire and cessation of hostilities, said the statement. "He reaffirms the support of the United Nations for the peace process and hopes that the focus of efforts can turn as soon as possible to the implementation of a final peace agreement."

The new pact seeks to overcome the impasse after the previous agreement discussed for four years in Havana, capital of Cuba, was rejected by a slight margin in an Oct. 2 referendum in Colombia.

A peace deal negotiated earlier this year with FARC rebels was unexpectedly defeated by Colombian voters in October. Many were angered by what they saw as insufficient punishment for those who perpetrated a litany of crimes against their people.

Negotiations for a peace deal continued after the defeat with rebels and those opposed to the original agreement.

The conflict in Colombia has left more than 260,000 people dead and displaced millions of others since 1964. Endit