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Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos

Updated October 07, 2016 20:32:24

The 2016 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos.

Mr Santos became president in 2010 and last month signed a historic peace deal with FARC rebel leader Rodrigo Londono, also known as Timochenko.

The deal was hailed as an end to 52 years of war, which has cost the lives of at least 220,000 Colombians and displaced close to 6 million people.

It also provided a pathway for FARC to disarm and become a political party.

"The award should also be seen as 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," a statement from the Norwegian Nobel Committee read.

"This tribute is paid, not least, to the representatives of the countless victims of the civil war."

The peace deal was rejected at a referendum by a tiny margin of 50.23 per cent to 49.76 per cent, but both sides have said they will try to salvage the accord.

The prize was announced at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo, Norway.

First posted October 07, 2016 20:02:37

Source : abc[dot]net[dot]au

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