Last-ditch deal in Colombia

The agreement extends the negotiations deadline to 7 April

The Colombian Government has reached an agreement with leftist rebels to keep the country's beleaguered peace process alive.

UN envoy LeMoyne: This is good news for Colombia

The agreement - announced by government peace commissioner Camilo Gomez and rebel leader Raul Reyes - was reached only hours before a government deadline of midnight on Sunday (0500 GMT Monday).

According to the 12-point communique, the sides agreed to "immediately" launch talks aimed at signing a ceasefire deal by 7 April - three days before a new deadline for the army to retake the rebels' safe haven in the south of the country.

It says the rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) will try to stop roadside kidnappings and that the government will take tough action against right-wing militias.

Mr Gomez later said he expected to see a reduction in kidnappings and killings following the accord.

Correspondents say a reduction in violence would be welcomed by most Colombians, who feel that the peace process has brought few concrete results.

The accord also calls for the participation of an international verification commission to "overcome complications".

Click here for a map of the FARC's safe haven

"I have decided to extend the life of the demilitarized area until 10 April," said President Andres Pastrana.

But he cautioned: "A truce makes sense only if it is a truce that lets us reach peace."

'Good news'

The agreement was reached after days of talks between Colombian officials and FARC representatives, facilitated by foreign envoys, at Los Pozos in the rebels' safe haven.

The diplomats represent:

Canada, Cuba, France, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UN, the Vatican and Venezuela

After it was announced, government and rebel negotiators and foreign envoys toasted the accord with a drink of rum and cigars handed out by the Cuban ambassador.

"This is good news for Colombia," said UN special envoy James LeMoyne.

President Pastrana, who had been in constant touch with his negotiators from his presidential palace in Bogota, had no immediate comment.

At least 47 dead

Efforts to reach an agreement had continued despite persistent violence.

At least 47 people had been killed in clashes around the country since President Pastrana announced a lifeline for peace talks a week ago.

Safe haven

Created in November 1998

Size of Switzerland

Population at least 100,000

Has its own FARC-run courts and radio station

Diplomats from 10 American and European nations and the Vatican are at Los Pozos, along with Mr LeMoyne.

Mr LeMoyne managed to avert war earlier in January when the government made its initial threat to retake the safe haven.

According to the Colombian press, there are some key stumbling-blocks to reaching a ceasefire agreement:

• FARC wants to retain all its strongholds but the government wants the rebels confined to one area
• FARC demands the release of its captured members in return for freeing its own hostages
• The rebels also want unemployment benefit for ex-guerrillas
• The government demands a truce and an end to abductions before any concessions are made

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