Colombia government, rebels on verge of definitive ceasefire: FARC

Colombia`s government and the FARC guerrilla group have "nearly" struck an agreement on a definitive ceasefire in their more than half-century-old conflict, rebel representatives announced on Wednesday.

Havana Province: Colombia`s government and the FARC guerrilla group are on the verge of announcing a definitive ceasefire to end Latin America`s longest civil war, rebel representatives said Wednesday.

"The accord is nearly concluded, just one point remains. We should have an announcement tomorrow," FARC negotiator Pastor Alape told AFP.

His colleague Carlos Lozada tweeted: "On Thursday, June 23, we will announce the last day of the war."

The definitive bilateral ceasefire deal would all but end the conflict by resolving one of the final points at peace talks between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Some remaining points on the agenda must still be settled, including disarmament and the means of implementation of the final peace deal.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said this week he hopes to seal a full peace deal by July 20.

The Colombian conflict started as a rural uprising in the 1960s and has drawn in various armed groups and gangs over the decades.

It has left 260,000 people dead, according to official figures.