Colombian Senate approves amnesty law, paves way for disarmament

Colombia's Senate on Wednesday approved an amnesty law, paving the way for the disarmament of the country's largest guerrilla force.

The law pardons members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) "who have not committed major crimes ... such as crimes against humanity, sexual abuse or recruitment of minors," the Caracol News service said.

With amnesty assured, rebels can now begin the process of laying down their weapons, the key step in the implementation of a peace accord between the government and the FARC.

"The law grants legal guarantees to the FARC, so they can advance towards the transition zones and begin the process of disarming," RCN Radio news said on its website.

After legislation was fast-tracked as part of a government push to speed up the implementation of the peace deal, Senator Armando Benedetti said, "this law was needed ... so FARC rebels could resolve their legal status in being responsible for political crimes."

President Juan Manuel Santos celebrated the law's adoption.

"Thanks to the Congress, which with this historic vote approved the Amnesty Law, the first step towards consolidating peace," Santos posted on Twitter.

The law also applies to members of the Colombian military who committed crimes in relation to the five-decade conflict, according to RCN. ' Defense Minister Luis Carlos Villegas said some 1,200 troops would benefit from the pardon.

"By February or the first week of March, we are going to have around 1,200 members of state forces at the most who will be enjoying provisional liberty," said Villegas.

On Saturday, the government and the FARC signed a new definitive peace agreement, which was then ratified by Congress. Endi