Colombia, ELN rebels agree to ceasefire

Colombia's government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group have reached a peace deal after months of negotiations, according to both sides.


President Juan Manuel Santos confirmed the 102-day bilateral ceasefire, which will begin on October 1, during a televised speech on Monday.

"The priority is to protect citizens, so during this period, kidnappings, attacks on oil pipelines and other hostilities against the civilian population will cease," he said.

The pact will be renewed as long as progress continues to be made in ongoing negotiations, added Santos.

"Yes, it was possible," the ELN delegation said in a tweet announcing the deal in Ecuador's capital, Quito, which has hosted the latest round of talks since February.

Colombia's biggest rebel force, the FARC, disarmed last month under a peace deal with the government to end more than half a century of civil conflict.

Santos now wants a deal with the left-wing ELN to seal a "complete peace".
 [aljazeera.com]
4-5/9/17