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| Colombian rebels say leader dead | Colombian rebels say leader dead |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Colombia's main leftist rebel group, the Farc, has confirmed the death of top commander Manuel Marulanda, saying he died of a heart attack. | Colombia's main leftist rebel group, the Farc, has confirmed the death of top commander Manuel Marulanda, saying he died of a heart attack. |
| The long-time commander and founder of the group died in the arms of comrades on 26 March, according to a Farc statement broadcast by Colombian media. | The long-time commander and founder of the group died in the arms of comrades on 26 March, according to a Farc statement broadcast by Colombian media. |
| His death was reported on Saturday by the military and media. | His death was reported on Saturday by the military and media. |
| Thought to be 78, the rebel leader had been rumoured to suffer ill-health, including suspected prostate cancer. | Thought to be 78, the rebel leader had been rumoured to suffer ill-health, including suspected prostate cancer. |
| "The great leader is gone," the Farc's statement said. | |
| It announced that Mr Marulanda, who was nicknamed "Tirofijo", or "Sureshot", would be replaced as overall commander by Alfonso Cano, already regarded by some as the group's ideological leader. | |
| Reporting from Colombia, the BBC's Jeremy McDermott notes that the Farc is suffering its worst period yet as it celebrates its 44th anniversary. | |
| Morale is at an all-time low and the loss of an inspirational figure like Mr Marulanda could provoke more desertions and lead to a break-up of the group, our correspondent says. | |
| However, Alfonso Cano could bring much-needed change to the Farc and seek to end the series of defeats that the rebels have suffered for the last five years, he adds. |