Last Colombia rebels agree ceasefire

Colombia's government and the country's last active guerrilla group, the ELN, announced a ceasefire Monday, a key step toward sealing a "complete peace" to end Latin America's longest civil war.

President Juan Manuel Santos and National Liberation Army (ELN) negotiators announced the ceasefire two days before a visit by Pope Francis.

ELN chief negotiator Pablo Beltran said his force's ceasefire was "the first miracle of the pope's visit."

The ceasefire follows a separate accord that saw the disarmament last month of Colombia's biggest rebel group, the FARC.

Santos said it was "great news that we are sure will delight" the Argentine-born pontiff.

Under the ceasefire, "there will be an end to kidnappings, attacks on oil pipelines and other hostilities against the civilian population" by the ELN, Santos said in a televised address.

The government for its part promised to improve conditions for imprisoned ELN members and protect civil leaders from attacks in the conflict zone.

The 1,500-strong ELN has been in negotiations with the government since February.

Francis is scheduled to tour Colombia from September 6 to 10.