UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Security Council on Thursday reiterated its "full and unanimous support" for the peace process in Colombia.
The members of the Security Council noted that the leading responsibility for the implementation of the Colombian peace agreement has now been passed to a new administration and "welcomed the initial promising steps taken by President Duque's government," according to a Security Council press statement.
"The members of the Security Council reiterated their serious concern about continued insecurity, drug trafficking and violence in some conflict-affected areas, including the persistent pattern of assassinations of community and social leaders," the statement said.
They welcomed the commitment by Vice President Marta Lucia Ramirez to maintain dialogue with women's groups and noted the importance of greater prioritization and resources to ensure effective implementation of gender provisions in the peace agreement with regard to security guarantees and reintegration, said the statement.
"The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their commitment to working with Colombia, under the new administration, to renew momentum behind implementation of the peace agreement in order to secure a lasting peace," the statement noted.
Under former President Juan Manuel Santos, the Colombian government signed a peace deal with the FARC, the country's largest rebel group, putting an end to more than five decades of armed conflicts in the country.
Following the peace deal with the FARC, the Colombian government also started negotiations with the the country's second-largest guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN).
However, the talks were halted by Colombian President Ivan Duque, who was sworn in in August. He said earlier that peace talks with the ELN guerrillas will remain suspended until the rebels stop fighting.
