UN welcomes launch of peace talks between Colombian gov't, ELN rebels

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday welcomed the launch of formal peace talks between the government of Colombia and the country's second largest rebel group National Liberation Army (ELN).

The Colombian government and the ELN guerrilla group opened the talks in Quito, Ecuador on Tuesday, aiming to end their five-decade-long conflict.

"Resolving this conflict is essential to achieving a comprehensive peace in Colombia, to saving lives and to advancing sustainable development across the whole country," said Guterres in a statement.

Guterres also stressed the need for "serious and productive discussions" that lead promptly to a reduction of all forms of violence.

The ELN, which took up arms in 1964, has around 1,500 fighters, according to government figures.

Last year, the Colombian government managed to conclude a peace deal with the country's largest rebel group, known as FARC, after four years of difficult negotiations. The ELN, though, have been seen as a tougher negotiating partner than the FARC. Endit