The Colombian government and left-wing Farc rebels have signed a historic agreement that formally brings an end to 52 years of civil war.

The rebel leader Timoleon Jimenez, known as Timochenko, apologized to “all the victims of the conflict” and was greeted by cheers and applause, reports the BBC.

He said: “I would like to ask for forgiveness for all the pain that we have caused during this war.”

Guests dressed in white at the ceremony in Cartagena, to symbolize peace.

The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, and leaders of Latin American countries were among those present.

The last of the major Cold War conflicts killed 260,000 people and left six million internally displaced.

BDST: 0839 HRS, SEP 27, 2016
SR