Colombia, ELN rebels hail progress in second round of peace talks
Al JazeeraELN official says two sides took ‘first steps’ towards a temporary ceasefire as negotiations in Mexico City conclude. Colombia’s government and the left-wing National Liberation Army rebel group have hailed progress in their efforts to end decades of armed conflict in the South American nation, as a second round of peace talks concluded in Mexico City. “We took the first steps to firm up a bilateral, national and temporary ceasefire which will create better conditions for Colombians’ mobilisation and participation in the peace process,” the ELN’s Pablo Beltran said on Friday. Congratulations to the #Colombia government and the #ELN guerilla on substantial progress in the peace talks in Mexico, on key topics like participation, humanitarian relief & future cease fire. “Congratulations to the government and the #ELN guerilla on substantial progress in the peace talks in Mexico, on key topics like participation, humanitarian relief & future cease fire,” Norway’s foreign affairs ministry tweeted.