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Colombian president begins talks with opponents of FARC peace agreement

Source: Xinhua 2016-10-06 11:42:19

COLOMBIA-BOGOTA-SANTOS-MEETING

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos (R) meets with former Colombian president Andres Pastrana at the Narino Palace in Bogota, capital of Colombia, on Oct. 5, 2016. Santos also met with the former president and senator of Colombia Alvaro Uribe on Wednesday morning to discuss how to push the peace process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) forward, after voters rejected the peace agreement signed by the government and the FARC in Sunday's referendum. A statement from the presidency stated that Santos had invited Uribe and Pastrana, both of who opposed the peace deal, for talks. (Xinhua/COLPRENSA)

BOGOTA, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos began talks on Wednesday with leaders opposing the current peace deal with the country's largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Former President Alvaro Uribe and other leaders of the opposition party the Democratic Center attended the meeting.

"After the results of the plebiscite, it is my obligation as president to seek ways for the union and reconciliation of the country," Santos said at a press conference after the meeting.

"We should pay much attention to their (the opponents') comments and proposals to find a path that leads to a peace deal with the FARC," he said.

In the plebiscite held on Sunday, the Colombian people voted to reject the agreement with a narrow margin.

The president urged the public to be responsible and realistic in order to achieve a lasting peace.

He also insisted on speed, adding that ignoring the peace deal in the current unrest has many risks.

Santos also mentioned his previous meetings with union and church leaders from both sides. "I have found everyone active and ready to participate in reaching a peace deal. We all want peace," he said.

Both the government and the Democratic Center have named envoys to form a commission to analyze the peace deal. Their first meeting will be held on Oct. 6.

Santos said they will also have discussions with the FARC delegation in Havana.

The conflict between the Colombian government and the FARC started in the 1960s as an uprising for land rights.

On June 22, the government and the FARC announced a deal on a definitive bilateral ceasefire, marking a major step towards ending the half-century conflict. Santos announced this Tuesday the ceasefire will be extended until Oct. 31.

On Sept. 26, the FARC reached an agreement with the government in the northern coastal city of Cartagena on a peace deal to end the 52-year armed conflict.

According to the agreement, the rebel group must hand over weapons to the United Nations within 180 days.

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Colombian president begins talks with opponents of FARC peace agreement
                 Source: Xinhua | 2016-10-06 11:42:19 | Editor: huaxia

COLOMBIA-BOGOTA-SANTOS-MEETING

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos (R) meets with former Colombian president Andres Pastrana at the Narino Palace in Bogota, capital of Colombia, on Oct. 5, 2016. Santos also met with the former president and senator of Colombia Alvaro Uribe on Wednesday morning to discuss how to push the peace process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) forward, after voters rejected the peace agreement signed by the government and the FARC in Sunday's referendum. A statement from the presidency stated that Santos had invited Uribe and Pastrana, both of who opposed the peace deal, for talks. (Xinhua/COLPRENSA)

BOGOTA, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos began talks on Wednesday with leaders opposing the current peace deal with the country's largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Former President Alvaro Uribe and other leaders of the opposition party the Democratic Center attended the meeting.

"After the results of the plebiscite, it is my obligation as president to seek ways for the union and reconciliation of the country," Santos said at a press conference after the meeting.

"We should pay much attention to their (the opponents') comments and proposals to find a path that leads to a peace deal with the FARC," he said.

In the plebiscite held on Sunday, the Colombian people voted to reject the agreement with a narrow margin.

The president urged the public to be responsible and realistic in order to achieve a lasting peace.

He also insisted on speed, adding that ignoring the peace deal in the current unrest has many risks.

Santos also mentioned his previous meetings with union and church leaders from both sides. "I have found everyone active and ready to participate in reaching a peace deal. We all want peace," he said.

Both the government and the Democratic Center have named envoys to form a commission to analyze the peace deal. Their first meeting will be held on Oct. 6.

Santos said they will also have discussions with the FARC delegation in Havana.

The conflict between the Colombian government and the FARC started in the 1960s as an uprising for land rights.

On June 22, the government and the FARC announced a deal on a definitive bilateral ceasefire, marking a major step towards ending the half-century conflict. Santos announced this Tuesday the ceasefire will be extended until Oct. 31.

On Sept. 26, the FARC reached an agreement with the government in the northern coastal city of Cartagena on a peace deal to end the 52-year armed conflict.

According to the agreement, the rebel group must hand over weapons to the United Nations within 180 days.

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