UN chief welcomes Colombia signing new peace agreement

United Nations: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday welcomed the signing of the new peace agreement between the government of Colombia and the FARC rebel group.

Earlier on Thursday, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and the leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Rodrigo Londono, signed the revised peace agreement in the country’s capital Bogota, Xinhua news agency reported.

In a statement, Ban commended the parties for their determination to bring this long-standing conflict to an end, while congratulating all who participated constructively in the dialogue that led to the new agreement.

Ban said “it is essential to move now to implementation” and he hopes that “Colombians will come together at this time to move the peace process forward”.

“He reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to provide all necessary support, both through the United Nations Mission in Colombia and through the relevant UN agencies, funds and programmes,” said the statement.

–IANS