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Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Colombian President Santos for FARC deal Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Colombian President Santos for FARC deal
(35 minutes later)
This year’s Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos "for his resolute efforts" to bring the country's more than 50-year-long civil war to an end, the Nobel Committee has announced in Norway’s capital, Oslo.This year’s Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos "for his resolute efforts" to bring the country's more than 50-year-long civil war to an end, the Nobel Committee has announced in Norway’s capital, Oslo.
Santos received the prestigious prize for securing a peace accord with FARC rebels, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, back in September after nearly four years of negotiations.Santos received the prestigious prize for securing a peace accord with FARC rebels, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, back in September after nearly four years of negotiations.
It had to be ratified by the people of Colombia in a referendum in order to come into force.It had to be ratified by the people of Colombia in a referendum in order to come into force.
Polls ahead of the vote suggested the deal to have public approval, with the peace deal also backed by a great number of politicians in Colombia and abroad, including UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.Polls ahead of the vote suggested the deal to have public approval, with the peace deal also backed by a great number of politicians in Colombia and abroad, including UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
However, in a dramatic turn of events, Colombians rejected the deal, with 50.2% voting against it.However, in a dramatic turn of events, Colombians rejected the deal, with 50.2% voting against it.
The main obstacle appeared to be anger over amnesty for former militants, which is part of the proposed deal.The main obstacle appeared to be anger over amnesty for former militants, which is part of the proposed deal.
After the referendum, President Santos said he would not cease efforts to bring the deal to life, promising to “begin discussions as soon as possible addressing all the necessary issues to have an agreement and realize the dream of every Colombian to end the war with the FARC.”After the referendum, President Santos said he would not cease efforts to bring the deal to life, promising to “begin discussions as soon as possible addressing all the necessary issues to have an agreement and realize the dream of every Colombian to end the war with the FARC.”
The Norwegian Nobel Committee said the award is “a tribute to the Colombian people who, despite great hardships and abuses, have not given up hope of a just peace, and to all the parties who have contributed to the peace process.”The Norwegian Nobel Committee said the award is “a tribute to the Colombian people who, despite great hardships and abuses, have not given up hope of a just peace, and to all the parties who have contributed to the peace process.”
The Committee did not, however, mention Santos’ counterpart in the peace negotiations, FARC leader Timoleon Jimenez, whose real name is Rodrigo Londono. The Nobel Committee also said that the public’s rejection of the deal doesn’t mean the peace process is dead. 
“The referendum was not a vote for or against peace. What the ‘No’ side rejected was not the desire for peace, but a specific peace agreement,” the Committee noted, adding that despite the majority voting against the deal in the referendum, Santos has “brought the bloody conflict significantly closer to a peaceful solution.”
The Committee did not, however, mention Santos’ counterpart in the peace negotiations, FARC leader Timoleon Jimenez, or “Timochenko,” whose real name is Rodrigo Londono.
Santos was “overwhelmed” and “grateful” to receive the award, the Nobel Committee’s secretary told Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
“He was overwhelmed. He was very grateful. He said it was of invaluable importance to further the peace process in Colombia,” Olav Njoelstad said after speaking to the Colombian leader by phone.
The Colombian conflict, which is the longest in the history of Latin America, claimed over 220,000 lives, most of them civilians, since FARC rebels first declared war on the government in 1964, according to a report by Colombia's National Centre of Historical Memory.The Colombian conflict, which is the longest in the history of Latin America, claimed over 220,000 lives, most of them civilians, since FARC rebels first declared war on the government in 1964, according to a report by Colombia's National Centre of Historical Memory.