COLOMBIA: Govt,rebel group reach new agreement

The Colombian government and the Farc rebel group have announced that they have announced a  new peace agreement, six weeks after the original deal was rejected in a popular vote. The two sides, which have been holding talks in Cuba for four years, said the revised plan incorporated proposals from the opposition and other groups.

The initial deal was deemed to be far too favourable to the left-wing rebels. The new agreement is not expected to be put to another popular vote, but rather submitted to congress. We have reached a new final agreement to end the arm conflict, which incorporates changes,clarifications and some new contributions from various social groups," the two sides said in a joint statement made available to the international media. 

It was read by diplomats from Cuba and Norway, the meditating countries, in the Cuban capital, Havana. However, the statement did not give details of the revised agreement, but Colombia's lead negotiator, Humberto De La Calle, said it resolves many criticisms, of the previous deal. One new requirement was for the Farc to draw up a complete list of assets to be used for victims compensation, he said.