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Colombia, ELN rebels agree ceasefire ahead of Pope's visit
Source: Reuters
#WORLD NEWS SEPTEMBER 4, 2017 / 9:54 AM / 3 HOURS AGO
Colombia, ELN rebels agree ceasefire ahead of Pope's visit
Reuters Staff
3 MIN READ
BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia and the Marxist ELN rebel group said on Monday they have agreed a bilateral ceasefire that will run through mid-January 2018, just two days before Pope Francis arrives for a visit to the Andean country.
The National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group, which regularly bombs oil installations and kidnaps for ransom, was founded by radical Catholic priests in 1964 and currently is in peace talks with the government to end 53 years of war.
The ceasefire will begin October 1 and finish January 12, will the possibility for extensions if it is respected, President Juan Manuel Santos said in a televised speech.
“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 added.
-snip-
Colombia, ELN rebels agree ceasefire ahead of Pope's visit
Reuters Staff
3 MIN READ
BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia and the Marxist ELN rebel group said on Monday they have agreed a bilateral ceasefire that will run through mid-January 2018, just two days before Pope Francis arrives for a visit to the Andean country.
The National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group, which regularly bombs oil installations and kidnaps for ransom, was founded by radical Catholic priests in 1964 and currently is in peace talks with the government to end 53 years of war.
The ceasefire will begin October 1 and finish January 12, will the possibility for extensions if it is respected, President Juan Manuel Santos said in a televised speech.
“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 added.
-snip-
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-colombia-rebels/colombia-eln-rebels-agree-ceasefire-ahead-of-popes-visit-idUSKCN1BF1NF
