COLOMBIA: ELN Declares Intention Of Extending Bilateral Ceasefire

(RTTNews) - The National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group said it wants to extend the bilateral ceasefire with the Colombian government, due to expire on January 9.

The Colombian government had expressed on several occasions its willingness to extend the ceasefire that began on October 1.

"We are in a position to agree on a new cessation, once we jointly evaluate the pace, the trust, and the results," said the guerrilla in a message posted on the Internet.

The message, signed by the leader of the ELN, Nicolás Rodríguez Bautista, alias "Gabino," is addressed to the head of the United Nations Verification Mission, Jean Arnault, who asked the parties this month on the possibility of extending the agreed ceasefire.

The guerrilla added that it also hopes "to see the willingness of the Government to overcome the hurdles it has kept, to comply with the agreement and the agreed protocols" on the ceasefire.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said on December 6 that he would appoint a new team for peace talks with the guerrillas after the resignation of the head of that delegation, Juan Camilo Restrepo.