The start of peace talks between the Colombian Government and the country's largest rebel group, the FARC, has been postponed indefinitely.

Talks aimed at ending the country's three-decade long civil war had been due to start on Monday.

The decision to postpone the talks came after three days of discussions between government representatives and FARC commanders.

Neither side has been able to agree on the role to be played by an international verification commission.

The government wants the commission to have wide-ranging powers, including the ability to investigate alleged human rights abuses in the area of southern Colombia which has been handed over to the rebels for the duration of the peace process.

But the guerrillas want the commission to stay clear of this area.

Discussions to continue

Raul Reyes, the spokesman for the FARC, says the two sides will meet again on 30 July to continue discussions on the role of the verification commission.

Colombia's peace commissioner, Victor Ricardo, says that a period of consultation and reflection will now follow.

Both the rebels and the government say they are still committed to finding a negotiated settlement to Colombia's long-running civil war.

The decision to postpone the talks has been greeted here with disappointment but with little surprise.