Colombia hails agreement with rebels

BOGOTA - Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and other politicians in the country welcomed a major agreement reached Wednesday between the government and the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

In talks in Havana, the government and FARC have agreed on the rebels' future participation in politics, a deal that brings the country a step closer toward the end of a decades-old civil war.

President Santos hailed the agreement as major progress for the good of all Colombians who will eventually decide whether to approve the final deal through a referendum.

Colombia's General Attorney Eduardo Montealegre said the agreement is an important opportunity to open a democratic space in the South American country.

Leader of opposition Polo Democratico Alternativo party Clara Lopez also welcomed the agreement.

Director of the Peace Commission Roy Barreras said this deal indicates that peace in Colombia is strong and irreversible.

UN representative in Colombia Fabrizio Hochschild said in a statement that the international organization supports the continuation of the dialogue between the government and FARC in order to sign a peace agreement.