DHAKA: Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has extended a ceasefire with Farc rebels until the end of the year to give more time to save a peace deal.

The accord, signed with the left-wing rebel group last month, was narrowly rejected in a national referendum, reports the BBC.

Santos has spent the past few days meeting those who campaigned for a “No” vote.

He will take new proposals to a meeting with Farc leaders in the Cuban capital, Havana.

The original ceasefire ended with the referendum and has already been extended until 31 October.

In a televised address, Santos said he had made the decision to extend the ceasefire further after meeting student leaders who had organized marches through Bogota in support of the peace deal.

“One of the students reminded me that in the army and in the guerrilla ranks, there are young people waiting to see what happens, hoping that they don't need to fire another shot,” he said.

“For that reason, and at the request of the students, I have taken the decision to extend the ceasefire until 31 December.”

Santos was awarded the Nobel Peace prize for reaching the peace agreement, which took more than four years to negotiate.

The campaign to reject the deal, led by former President Alvaro Uribe, called for a stronger line to be taken against former rebels.

BDST: 1635 HRS, OCT 14, 2016
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*** Colombians march for Farc peace deal