FARC rebels to release captured Colombian general

FARC rebels have agreed to free a top Colombian general and four others according to negotiators in Cuba.

Their release is to be organised as soon as possible.

The Colombian government had suspended on going peace talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) until General Ruben Dario Alzate was handed over.

A representative of the Cuban government which is hosting the peace talks – which have now been going on for two years – announced the breakthrough on Cuban television.

Along with the general and a soldier and civilian lawyer who were all captured together on Sunday, two other soldiers will also be set free.

The standoff had plunged the peace talks into crisis. Meanwhile Latin America’s longest-running war, which has killed some 20,000 people over 50 years continues.

Both Cuba and Norway are acting as so-called guarantors of the talks.