Colombia, FARC Rebels to Begin Peace Talks

Conflict has cost thousands of lives

Colombia and its main leftist rebel group said Tuesday they have signed an accord to launch peace talks next month aimed at ending a stubborn, half-century-old conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

In a nationally televised speech, President Juan Manuel Santos called the pact a roadmap to "a definitive peace." It was reached after six months of direct talks in Cuba, with that country's government and Norway serving as brokers following a year and a half of preparatory work.