UNSC hails progress in Colombian peace process with concern over ELN

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Wednesday welcomed the progress in the peace process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and voiced dismay over peace prospects with regard to the smaller leftist rebel group of the National Liberation Army (ELN).

In a press statement, the Security Council was upbeat about the peace process with FARC.

"The members of the Security Council welcomed the leadership and continued commitment of the parties and the positive developments over the past three months, including the transformation of FARC from an armed group into a political party, and urged continued momentum toward full implementation of the peace agreement, including the full political, legal and socioeconomic reincorporation of FARC (combatants)," said the statement.

The council members echoed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' concern about increased insecurity in some of the areas affected by the conflict, welcomed the important efforts by the Colombian government to address these concerns, as well as steps to address other issues including access to land, and looked forward to their swift implementation, it said.

The Security Council, however, remained concerned over peace prospects with regard to the ELN.

A temporary cease-fire with the Colombian government expired on Tuesday. The two delegations are in new round of talks in Quito, Ecuador, for a way forward.

The council regretted Wednesday's renewed attack by the ELN on oil pipelines and expressed the hope that the government and the rebel group would resume work to agree on a renewal and strengthening of the temporary cease-fire, in order to prevent a return to conflict and protect the humanitarian gains achieved over the past three months. Enditem