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Colombia and Farc rebels sign historic ceasefire Colombia and Farc rebels sign historic ceasefire
(about 2 hours later)
The Colombian government and the Farc rebels have signed a historic ceasefire deal, bringing them closer to ending more than five decades of conflict.The Colombian government and the Farc rebels have signed a historic ceasefire deal, bringing them closer to ending more than five decades of conflict.
The announcement is seen as one of the last steps before a full peace deal is signed, which is expected within weeks.The announcement is seen as one of the last steps before a full peace deal is signed, which is expected within weeks.
Colombia's president and the Farc leader shook hands in celebration.Colombia's president and the Farc leader shook hands in celebration.
The longest-running insurgency in the Western Hemisphere has killed an estimated 220,000 people and displaced almost seven million.The longest-running insurgency in the Western Hemisphere has killed an estimated 220,000 people and displaced almost seven million.
Thursday's announcement in Havana caps formal peace talks that started three years ago in the Cuban capital. The announcement in Havana caps formal peace talks that started three years ago in the Cuban capital.
But it does not mark the start of the ceasefire, which will only begin with the signing of a final accord.But it does not mark the start of the ceasefire, which will only begin with the signing of a final accord.
Colombia's President, Juan Manuel Santos, has previously said he hopes to sign that accord by the end of July.Colombia's President, Juan Manuel Santos, has previously said he hopes to sign that accord by the end of July.
Thursday's announcement includes:Thursday's announcement includes:
"Let this be the last day of the war," said Farc leader Timochenko at the announcement. "Let this be the last day of the war," Farc leader Rodrigo Londono, known as Timochenko, said at the announcement.
The rebels have also agreed to put the final accord to a popular vote in Colombia, which was a promise made by Mr Santos. Both sides agreed to let the courts rule whether a popular vote can be held in Colombia to endorse the deal, which was a promise made by Mr Santos.
The president said at the ceremony that this was a "historic day".The president said at the ceremony that this was a "historic day".
"We have reached the end of 50 years of death, attacks and pain. This is the end of the armed conflict with the Farc," he said."We have reached the end of 50 years of death, attacks and pain. This is the end of the armed conflict with the Farc," he said.
Both sides still need to establish how the peace deal in its totality will be implemented, verified and approved. The ceasefire and the Colombian media, by BBC Monitoring
The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, and leaders of Latin American countries also attended the ceremony. The announcement of the Farc ceasefire dominated the headlines of the online editions of the main Colombian newspapers and other media outlets.
Centre-left newspaper El Espectador featured extensive coverage of the news of the agreement and a banner headline, which reads: "The guns went silent" along a striking image of two guerrilla fighters in action. It also covered the key points of the deal as well as the history of the conflict.
Conservative newspaper El Tiempo emphasised President Juan Manuel Santos's statement that the final agreement would be signed in Colombia, not Cuba.
Medellin-based newspaper El Colombiano featured a commentary by former President Alvaro Uribe, who remains sceptical about the prospects for peace, saying "the word peace is wounded."
One of the main national radio networks RCN ran a story citing Farc leader Timochenko saying: "We are going to do politics without arms."
Both sides still need to establish how the peace deal in its entirety will be implemented, verified and approved.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and leaders of Latin American countries also attended the ceremony.
Who are the Farc?Who are the Farc?
More about the rebelsMore about the rebels
The agreement was welcomed elsewhere, with the EU's foreign representative Federica Mogherini calling it "a turning point in the Colombian peace process".
US Secretary of State John Kerry said that "although hard work remains to be done, the finish line is approaching and nearer now than it has ever been".