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Colombia and Farc rebels sign historic peace agreement Colombians celebrate as peace deal is reached with Farc rebels
(about 7 hours later)
The Colombian government and the Farc rebel group have signed a historic peace accord, putting an end to more than five decades of conflict. Hundreds of Colombians have celebrated an historic peace accord between the government and left-wing Farc rebels, signed after 52 years of conflict.
Both sides have agreed to work together to address social exclusion, to deliver justice to the victims of the conflict and build a stable and enduring peace. The announcement was broadcast live on Wednesday from Havana, Cuba, where peace talks have been held for more than two years.
The announcement was made in the Cuban capital, Havana, where peace talks were launched in November 2012.
The conflict has killed an estimated 220,000 people and displaced millions.The conflict has killed an estimated 220,000 people and displaced millions.
"The Colombian government and the Farc announce that we have reached a final, full and definitive accord," they said in a joint statement. President Juan Manuel Santos called the deal "the beginning of the end to the suffering, pain and tragedy of war".
'War is over'
"The Colombian government and the Farc announce that we have reached a final, full and definitive accord," Colombian government and Farc negotiators said in a joint statement.
The head of the Colombian delegation, Humberto de la Calle, and the chief Farc negotiator, Ivan Marquez, signed the agreement at a ceremony in Cuba.The head of the Colombian delegation, Humberto de la Calle, and the chief Farc negotiator, Ivan Marquez, signed the agreement at a ceremony in Cuba.
"We have reached our goal," said Mr De la Calle. Both sides have agreed to work together to address social exclusion, to deliver justice to the victims of the conflict and build a stable and enduring peace.
"We have reached our goal," said Mr de la Calle.
"The war is over but also there is also new beginning. This agreement opens the door to a more inclusive society," he added."The war is over but also there is also new beginning. This agreement opens the door to a more inclusive society," he added.
The two sides had signed a bilateral ceasefire in June, paving the way for a final agreement. 'Die in peace'
"It has been a difficult job, with bright and dark moments," said Mr Marquez. In Bogota, hundreds of people, many dressed in white, gathered at different points of the city waving the Colombian flag and cheering.
"But we have worked with our hearts. And we can say now it is possible to take our country forward," he added. "I can die in peace because finally I'll see my country without violence with a future for my children," 57-year-old Orlando Guevara told the Associated Press news agency.
President Barack Obama phoned his Colombian counterpart, Juan Manuel Santos, to congratulate him on the deal. Farc negotiator Ivan Marquez said the Farc and the government had "won the most beautiful of all battles: the peace of Colombia".
"The president recognised this historic day as a critical juncture in what will be a long process to fully implement a just and lasting peace agreement that can advance security and prosperity for the Colombian people," said the White House in a statement.
At the scene: Will Grant, BBC News, HavanaAt the scene: Will Grant, BBC News, Havana
Together, the once bitter enemies stood - guerrilla leaders and former generals, foot soldiers and career diplomats - and sang the Colombian national anthem.Together, the once bitter enemies stood - guerrilla leaders and former generals, foot soldiers and career diplomats - and sang the Colombian national anthem.
In the end their shared understanding of what Colombia is, appears to have won out over their sharp differences as the two sides took their seats to announce the end of almost five decades of fighting.In the end their shared understanding of what Colombia is, appears to have won out over their sharp differences as the two sides took their seats to announce the end of almost five decades of fighting.
It has taken nearly four years of talks, which on several occasions looked on the verge of collapse.It has taken nearly four years of talks, which on several occasions looked on the verge of collapse.
The question now, as the peace process moves from Havana back to Bogota, is whether the terms agreed in Havana will be acceptable to the Colombian people. A referendum on the deal is expected in October.The question now, as the peace process moves from Havana back to Bogota, is whether the terms agreed in Havana will be acceptable to the Colombian people. A referendum on the deal is expected in October.
The two sides had signed a bilateral ceasefire in June, paving the way for a final agreement.
"It has been a difficult job, with bright and dark moments," added Mr Marquez.
President Barack Obama phoned his Colombian counterpart, Juan Manuel Santos, to congratulate him on the deal.
"The president recognised this historic day as a critical juncture in what will be a long process to fully implement a just and lasting peace agreement that can advance security and prosperity for the Colombian people," said the White House in a statement.
'No winners or losers''No winners or losers'
Under the terms of the agreement, the Farc will give up its armed struggle and join the legal political process.Under the terms of the agreement, the Farc will give up its armed struggle and join the legal political process.
The Farc has agreed to renounce its armed struggle to join the legal political process. "There is no room for winners or losers when you achieve peace through negotiations," tweeted Farc negotiator Rodrigo Granda. "Colombia wins, death loses."
"There is no room for winners or losers when you achieve peace through negotiations," tweeted Farc negotiator Rodrigo Granda, known as Ricardo Tellez. "Colombia wins, death loses."
Earlier on Wednesday, Farc's leader Timoleon Jimenez, known as Timochenko, had tweeted that "at 18:00 in Colombia (24:00 BST) we will announce the end of the talks and the conclusion of the [peace] accord".
Mr Santos had also promised to give "historic, very important news to the country" later on Wednesday.
The left-wing rebels have been fighting Colombian government since 1964. It is the longest-running conflict in Latin America.The left-wing rebels have been fighting Colombian government since 1964. It is the longest-running conflict in Latin America.
Over the past four years, peace negotiators have managed to reach agreement on six areas: land reform, the Farc's involvement in drug trafficking, justice for the victims, disarmament, future political participation and implementation of the accord.
The deal will need to be approved by Colombians in a popular vote, which will take place on 2 October, Mr Santos announced.The deal will need to be approved by Colombians in a popular vote, which will take place on 2 October, Mr Santos announced.
"It will be the most important election of our lives," he said on national television shortly after the deal was signed."It will be the most important election of our lives," he said on national television shortly after the deal was signed.
Former President Alvaro Uribe is leading the campaign to get the agreement rejected.Former President Alvaro Uribe is leading the campaign to get the agreement rejected.
Decades of war
Sources: Unit for Attention and Reparation of Victims, Colombian government