One fewer war on planet, Santos tells UN

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos yesterday told the United Nations there was “one fewer war in the planet” as he hailed the deal to end the half-century conflict with Marxist rebels.“ I have come to the United Nations to announce, with my full voice and heart, that the war in Colombia is over,” Santos said in an address to the General Assembly.“There is one fewer war on the planet,” Santos said, striking a bright note as the world body is torn by divisions on how to end the bloodshed in Syria.Santos, addressing the General Assembly on the International Day of Peace, earlier presented a copy of the agreement wrapped in the Colombian flag to the 15 members of the Security Council who gave him a standing ovation.Santos launched negotiations with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) after taking office in 2010, with the two sides sealing a deal on August 24 in Havana to end the Americas’ longest conflict which has claimed 260,000 lives.The agreement will be ceremonially signed on Monday and put to a referendum on October 2, with Colombian voters tipped to approve it.If approved, the Farc’s estimated 7,500 fighters are to disarm under UN supervision.Santos promised symbolic monuments to the end of the war after rebels give up their arms and are integrated into society.“The weapons will be melted and turned into three monuments to peace — in New York and Cuba, which were the seats of dialogue, and another in Colombia,” Santos said.Santos said he expected the agreement to turn Farc into a peaceful, democratic political force and to lead to a greater quality of life for people in the countryside who were most affected by the 52-year war.