The Marxist rebel group FARC has announced it will seek a unilateral ceasefire with the Colombian government. The news comes after peace negotiations came close to collapsing a couple of months ago. Nonetheless, the government of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos will not accept the ceasefire terms.

The rebel guerilla announced their intentions for an indefinite, unilateral ceasefire on Wednesday in the Havana, where the peace talks are happening, according to The Telegraph.

"We have resolved to declare a unilateral ceasefire and end hostilities for an indefinite period of time, which should be transformed into an armistice," said the rebels' peace negotiators in Cuba. This unilateral ceasefire, which we hope will last a long time, will end only if our guerrilla units have been the subject of attacks by the security forces."

The ceasefire would begin on Saturday.

FARC has called for bilateral ceasefire before, but Colombia has not consented. This time is not any different.

"The requirement of verification for the unilateral ceasefire is a condition that the Government does not accept," the president's statement said, despite welcoming the move. "We are willing to start the discussion on the subject of verification for the eventual bilateral and definite ceasefire when the discussion concerning point 3, 'End of conflict,' formally starts."

The statement also said the administration remained suspicious of FARC's intentions because the group had previously used the excuse of a ceasefire to regroup and rearm. The government reiterated its duty to protect Colombians.

"In any case -- and this must be very clear -- the Government will continue fulfilling its constitutional duty to irrevocably guarantee and protect the rights of Colombians," the statement said.

As part of the ceasefire, FARC asked for third parties to oversee the truce, including UNASUR and the Red Cross, according to Colombia Reports. UNASUR has agreed to the conditions. Santos, however, has refused.

Reuters reports the U.N. has welcomed FARC's announcement. The guerrilla has thrown the ball into Santo's court and placed the Colombian president under pressure to act, especially after campaigning that he would bring peace to Colombia.

Related