Colombians vote on peace deal

Colombians yesterday voted in a referendum on whether to ratify a historic peace accord to end a 52-year war between the state and the communist FARC rebels.

The accord will effectively end what is seen as the last major armed conflict in the Western Hemisphere. The war has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions.

The government of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos says it has no Plan B if voters reject the accord -- but polls indicate it will pass by a wide margin.

Around 35 million of Colombia's 48 million people were eligible to vote.

The deal signed on October 26 by Santos and FARC leader Rodrigo Londono, known as "Timochenko," calls for the rebels to disarm and convert into a political group.

It will have at least 10 seats guaranteed for it in Colombia's Congress.

The accord's main points include justice and compensation. There is an amnesty for some Farc members but not for those accused of the worst crimes such as massacres, torture and rape.

If voters approve the accord, FARC fighters must demobilize and disarm over the coming six months, monitored by the United Nations.

The force said on Friday it had 5,765 members.

The accord is seen as virtually ending the conflict, even though the government has so far failed in efforts to start peace talks with a smaller leftist rebel group, the National Liberation Army (ELN).

The Farc have apologized to their victims and held emotional face-to-face reconciliations over recent days.