Colombia's peace talks to end in months

BOGOTA- Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Sunday expressed his confidence that the October peace talks with the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) will last months instead of years.

"The success of the peace process is more important than any reelection," he said.

The first phase has been closed with a general agreement from both sides to build peace and to periodically review the advances, said Santos in an interview with local media.

Santos reaffirmed that the arrest warrants against some FARC leaders would not be suspended and military forces would not withdraw from the hot regions, just as what was prescribed for the previous talks.

"There won't be any withdrawals or ceasefires. In Olso and Havana, we will try to reach an agreement to end the conflict. But meanwhile in Colombia, we will continue to fulfill our duty," Santos said.

On Saturday, the Colombian president said that the peace process would not become a "media show" and stressed that a ceasefire could only be realized after both parties sign an agreement to end the conflict.

Last Tuesday, Santos announced peace negotiations with the FARC would begin in October in Oslo, Norway, with the aim to end related armed conflicts.