A historic midnight ceasefire is set to end a 52-year-old war between the Colombian state and rebels.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) yesterday issued the order for its fighters to observe the ceasefire from midnight (2pm AEST).
"I order all our commanders and units and each one of our combatants to definitively cease fire and hostilities against the Colombian state from midnight tonight," top FARC leader Timoleon Jimenez said in a declaration before the media.
"The end of the conflict has arrived!” President of Colombia Juan Santos rejoiced on Twitter in the wake of the announcement.
Hundreds of thousands of Colombians have died since 1964 as rebel armies and gangs battled in the jungles in what is considered Latin America's last major civil armed conflict.
Mr Santos and parliamentary leader Carlos Jimenez are due to sign a final, full peace agreement between September 20 and 26.
The signing could take place at UN headquarters in New York, or in Havana or Bogota, Mr Santos said.
The ceasefire and definitive end of hostilities will be followed by a six-month demobilisation process.
The Senate has estimated the cost of implementing the peace accord at $31 billion over the coming decade.
Mr Santos said the cost would be funded by the state, private sector and international aid.
With AFP