Colombia approves fast-track application of peace deal with FARC

Colombia's Constitutional Court on Tuesday approved proposed fast track application of a peace deal reached between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Eight out of the nine judges in the court approved the measure, which "will allow the swift application" of the peace agreements, Xinhua news agency quoted Caracol News Agency as saying.

The vote is expected to expedite the process of undertaking government reform promised as part of the peace deal and of disarming the rebel group, which had been locked in a civil conflict with successive governments for more than 50 years.

The peace deal was approved on December 1 by the Congress, which then proposed the fast track measure, also known as the "Special Legislative Procedure for Peace".

The fast track procedure grants President Juan Manuel Santos, who spearheaded the peace drive, special powers to "facilitate and assure the peace agreements", the news agency said.

It also calls for shorter or fewer legislative debates to speed up the adoption of the reform.

Santos received the Nobel Peace Prize over the weekend for his efforts to negotiate with the FARC to end the half-century-long civil war.

--IANS

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