Barack Obama expresses support to Colombia peace talks

Washington, Oct 9: US President

on Wednesday underscored continued strong support for efforts of the

government to end a decades-old civil conflict, the White House said.

In his telephone conversation with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, Obama expressed US readiness to work closely with Colombia during the post-conflict period, Xinhua reported citing the statement.

The Colombian government and FARC, the largest leftist anti-government insurgency in the country, started a peace process in December 2012 in Cuba, seeking to end a 50-year-long civil conflict.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly last month, Santos said he had brought hope to the session that "Colombia will soon be at peace."

Noting "immense challenges" in Colombia's post-conflict phase, Santos called on world nations to offer support to ensure that "humanity overcomes war."

IANS