Peace News

Colombia's Santos dubs new legislature 'Congress of peace'

Estanzuela - Colombia's newly re-elected President Juan Manuel Santos installed a new legislature Sunday, calling it a "Congress of peace" and asking for its support in creating a post-conflict nation amid negotiations with the FARC.

In the Media by AFP

Campaigners push for pacifist Japanese to win Nobel Peace Prize

Tokyo - Campaigners are pushing for Japan's population to win this year's Nobel Peace Prize in a nod to the country's long-held pacifism, even as Tokyo controversially expands the scope of the military in a move that has sparked protests at home.

In the Media by Yuta Yagishita (AFP)

Kurdish rebels 'to resume Turkey withdrawal in September'

Ankara - Kurdish rebels will begin a stalled withdrawal from Turkey into their safe haven in northern Iraq after parliament passes reforms aimed at ending a decades-long insurgency, local media reported on Saturday.

In the Media by AFP

Ukraine seeks concrete steps from Russia on truce

Kiev - Ukraine on Saturday sought concrete steps from Russia to back up a tenuous truce it extended with pro-Moscow rebels in the hope of calming a deadly insurgency sparked by the country's new westward course.

In the Media by Dmitry Zaks (AFP)

U.S. envoy Indyk quits after Mideast talks collapse

Washington - Veteran Middle East diplomat Martin Indyk resigned Friday as the chief U.S. negotiator between the Israelis and Palestinians in a further sign of the collapse of the peace process.

In the Media by Shaun Tandon (AFP)

After Santos election victory, Colombia resumes peace bid

Bogot - Colombia resumed its path toward peace with leftist rebels, bolstered by President Juan Manuel Santos' victory in elections seen as a referendum on his bid to end the 50-year-old conflict.Santos picked up 50.

In the Media by Philippe Zygel (AFP)

After Santos election victory, Colombia resumes peace bid

Bogot - Colombia resumed its path toward peace with leftist rebels Monday, bolstered by President Juan Manuel Santos's victory in elections seen as a referendum on his bid to end the 50-year-old conflict.Santos picked up 50.

In the Media by Philippe Zygel (AFP)

Colombians re-elect Santos in boost for FARC talks

Bogot - Colombians re-elected President Juan Manuel Santos on Sunday in a cliffhanger poll seen as a referendum on peace talks with FARC guerrillas, election authorities said.With 99.37 percent of votes tallied, the center-right Santos registered 50.

In the Media by Alina Dieste (AFP)

Colombia, ELN guerrillas launch peace process

Bogot - Colombia's government and the country's second largest guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army, announced Tuesday they have opened peace talks, with a tense presidential election just days away.

In the Media by Lissy de Abreu (AFP)

Colombia, ELN guerrillas launch peace process

In the Media by Lissy De Abreu (AFP)

Mideast leaders arrive at Vatican for prayers, talks

Well, why not? When armed conflict and diplomacy fail to change people's minds, maybe prayer is the next best option after all.

In the Media by Nathan Salant

Peace envoy in Norway would testify on Sri Lanka war 'atrocities'

A report on Sunday said that Erik Solheim, a top Norwegian peace envoy, said he would testify to any international war crimes investigation over "atrocities" committed during Sri Lanka's separatist conflict.

In the Media by Jeannie Stokowski-Bisanti

Santos promises to end draft if Colombia peace is struck

Bogot - Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, in a close re-election fight, promised Wednesday to abolish the military draft if a peace agreement is reached with FARC rebels.

In the Media by AFP

FARC leader declares opposition to drug trade

Bogot - The head of Colombia's FARC rebels, long believed to fund guerrilla activities via the drug trade, said Monday that he opposes the trade as "counter-revolutionary.

In the Media by AFP

Colombia peace talks to resume though future in doubt

Havana - Colombia's government and the FARC rebel group will resume peace talks on Tuesday, officials said, even though the country's presidential election has placed the process in doubt.

In the Media by AFP

US-Taliban prisoner exchange will help peace: Afghan official

Kabul - The release of five senior Taliban detainees from Guantanamo Bay in exchange for American soldier Bowe Bergdahl bodes well for the resumption of peace talks, a senior member of Afghanistan's High Peace Council said Sunday.

In the Media by AFP

FARC says Colombia peace talks not in 'limbo'

Bogot - Colombia's FARC rebels on Tuesday denied peace talks with the government had been put in "limbo" by the country's presidential vote, which largely hinges on how to handle the Marxist rebels.

In the Media by AFP

Santos willing to negotiate with U.S. over jailed FARC leader

Bogot - Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said Friday he was willing to negotiate with the United States to allow a jailed FARC leader participate in peace talks -- a long-standing demand of the leftist rebels.

In the Media by AFP

Colombia hails 'important step' in FARC peace process

Bogot - The Colombian government and the FARC concluded a key part of peace talks designed to end the 50-year insurgency, hours after the rebels said they would observe a unilateral truce during May 25 elections.

In the Media by Francisco Jara (AFP)

Fate of talks lies with Israelis, Palestinians, says Kerry

London - Only Palestinians and Israelis can decide whether to resume talks, US Secretary of State John Kerry warned Wednesday as he met Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas for the first time since the peace process collapsed.

In the Media by Jo Biddle (AFP)

Kerry, Abbas to meet for first time since talks collapsed

Washington - US Secretary of State John Kerry will meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in London this week for the first time since peace talks collapsed last month, officials said Monday.

In the Media by AFP

Kerry to meet Abbas in London on Thursday: US

Washington - US Secretary of State John Kerry will meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in London on Thursday, a top US official said, adding the "door remains open" for peace talks.

In the Media by AFP

U.S. calls for 'holding period' after Mideast talks fail

Jerusalem - Washington called for "a holding period" in the Middle East peace process after a deadline for reaching a deal expired with hopes dashed and Israel and the Palestinians bitterly divided.

In the Media by Jonah Mandel (AFP)

Israel okayed nearly 14,000 settler homes during talks: NGO

Jerusalem - Israel approved plans for nearly 14,000 new settler homes during the nine months of peace talks with the Palestinians, an Israeli settlement watchdog said Tuesday as the negotiation period formally ended.

In the Media by AFP

Mideast talks in tatters as peace deadline expires

Jerusalem - Washington's deadline for a peace deal expired Tuesday with the sides bitterly divided and warnings that Israel risked becoming an "apartheid state" if it failed to make peace with the Palestinians.

In the Media by Jonah Mandel (AFP) - 2 comments

Israel, Palestinians square up as peace deadline looms

Jerusalem - Israel and the Palestinians appeared determined Monday to seal their divorce as Washington's deadline for reaching a Mideast peace deal was to expire, leaving hopes for a breakthrough in tatters.

In the Media by Hazel Ward (AFP)

No peace talks unless Hamas recognizes Israel: Netanyahu

Washington - There will be no negotiations with a Palestinian unity government unless the Hamas movement gives up its vision of destroying Israel and embraces peace, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday.

In the Media by AFP

Palestinian unity government will reject violence: Abbas

Ramallah - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said Saturday the new unity government he is set to head with the backing of Hamas would reject violence and recognise Israel and existing agreements.

In the Media by Hossam Ezzedine (AFP)

Palestinians meet on peace talks, reconciliation

Ramallah - A key Palestine Liberation Organisation body began talks on Saturday after Israel pulled out of US-sponsored peace negotiations in response to a Palestinian reconciliation deal with Hamas.

In the Media by AFP

Israel halts peace talks after Palestinian unity deal

Jerusalem - Israel said Thursday it was halting peace talks with the Palestinians following their unity deal with Hamas, as the faltering US-backed process approached its deadline.

In the Media by Jonah Mandel (AFP)