A mutual ceasefire accord has been made during the negotiations between the Colombian government and FARC-EP aiming to end the 50 years old civil war in Colombia.

There is progress in the negotiations that have taken place in the Cuban capital Havana since November 2012. The government responded positively to the call of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for a ceasefire last week.

Cuban diplomat Rodolfo Benitez and Norwegian intermediator Dag Nylander made a press statement on the issue and said that the Colombian army would respond positively to stopping the attacks, and the representatives from FARC and the government agreed upon a ceasefire.

Benitez and Nylander stated that they would make the necessary efforts for the two sides to sign a decisive peace agreement and determine the details of a permanent ceasefire in order to end the conflict between the army and FARC.

More than 220 thousand people lost their lives during the war in Colombia that had begun with the uprising of disenfranchised villagers in 1964. With its thousands of guerillas that control a significant portion of the country, FARC declared a ceasefire last week. Clashes had increased since April and tens of guerillas and soldiers had lost their lives during this period.