Colombian government, FARC resume dialogue in Havana

FARC negotiator Ivan Marquez said the two sides "are analysing the views of different sectors of society about the peace agreement", Xinhua news agency reported.

Havana, Oct 23 Delegations from the Colombian government and the country's largest guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), restarted negotiations here for "a constructive dialogue", both parties announced.

The government's chief negotiator with the FARC and former Vice-President Humberto de la Calle on Saturday posted on Twitter: "Meeting between delegates and advisors of the government and the FARC in Havana. Beginning a constructive dialogue."

FARC negotiator Ivan Marquez said the two sides "are analysing the views of different sectors of society about the peace agreement", Xinhua news agency reported.

Another FARC negotiator Ricardo Tellez said the meeting would analyse "proposals presented by diverse sectors of the No (camp)".

He was referring to the political sectors who opposed the peace agreement signed on September 26 by both the government and the FARC to end their 52-year armed conflict.

The agreement was narrowly rejected in an October 2 referendum.

Government negotiators returned to Havana on Friday after meeting with the No camp and after President Juan Manuel Santos asked them to accelerate negotiations for a new peace agreement.

IANS