Colombia referendum: Voters reject Farc peace bargain

The result of the vote was much closer than expected and shocked many Colombians (AFP)

Voters in Colombia have rejected a milestone peace deal with Farc rebels in a referendum result, with 50.24% voting against it. 

The deal was signed a week ago by President Juan Manuel Santos and Farc pioneer Timoleon Jimenez after about four years of negotiations.

But it needed to be ratified by Colombians in order to come into force.

Tending to the country, President Santos said he accepted the result but would continue working to achieve peace. 

He said the current truce stayed set up and that he had requested negotiators to go to Cuba to consult Farc leaders on the next move. 

The deal would have brought an end to one of the world's longest-running insurgencies (INPHO)

"I won't give up," he said. "I'll continue the search for peace until the last moment of my mandate because that's the way to leave a better country to our children."

Then the Farc leader, known as Timochenko, said said the group remained committed to securing an end to the war.

He likewise condemned the No crusade.

"The Farc deeply regret that the destructive power of those who sow hatred and revenge have influenced the Colombian people's opinion," he told correspondents. 

The rebels prior consented to lay down their weapons following 52 years of contention to join the political procedure. 

Be that as it may, critics said the arrangement treated the Farc, which despite everything the US considers a terrorist group, too leniently.

Some people began celebrating as soon as it was clear the no vote had prevailed in the referendum (AP)

Supporters of the peace deal with Farc rebels were left dumbfounded by the referendum result (AP)

The deal would have permitted rebel leaders to avoid a prison sentence if they confessed their crimes. The rebels were additionally guaranteed 10 seats in congress for the following two elections.

The agreement was rejected with 50.2% of voters against it and 49.8% in favour - a difference of less than 63,000 votes out of 13 million ballots.

The surprise result means the peace process is now shrouded by uncertainty.

Former President Alvaro Uribe, who headed the "no" campaign, said all Colombians wanted peace, but that the deal needed "corrections".

"We want to contribute to a national accord and be heard," he said.

The 297-page peace deal is a profoundly divisive issue in Colombia, and the legislature has been blamed for taking victory for granted.

The referendum campaign spent vigorously on TV adverts notwithstanding organizing shows and peace revives all through the nation in an offer to get individuals out to vote. 

It approached the backing of U2's Bono and previous Beatle Ringo Starr - and for the first time in an election made ballots available in Braille so blind Colombians could vote.