New Colombian president offers talks to rebels

Juan Manuel Santos, Colombia’s 59th president, declared himself open to dialogue with rebels in the hope of ending his country’s nearly 50-year conflict.

But Mr Santos, a 58-year-old economist, said he would not talk peace with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, until it freed its hostages, halted “terrorist acts” and stopped recruiting child soldiers and planting landmines.