OREANDA-NEWS. Colombia's government and rebel group ELN have agreed to a temporary ceasefire that promises a pause in attacks on oil pipelines.

Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos announced this morning that the two sides agreed to cease hostilities for 102 days starting on 1 October and ending on 12 January 2018.

"This measure will be renewed depending on compliance and the progress of negotiations on other points," Santos said on Twitter. "During this period, kidnappings, pipeline attacks and other hostilities on the civilian population will cease."

The ELN is Colombia's main active rebel group following the signing of a peace agreement with the main rebel group Farc in 2016. The Farc last week made official its transition into a political movement following more than five decades of conflict.