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The chief peace negotiator for Colombia's Farc rebel group has said the armed conflict that has lasted more than five decades is nearing an end, BBC reported. 

Ivan Marquez, who is taking part in talks with the Colombian government in Cuba, has called on left-wing parties and unions to join the effort to achieve peace.

The government wants a peace accord to be agreed by November.

But Mr Marquez warned against rushing into a settlement.

"It is possible [to reach an agreement by November]. But to achieve peace you need time. A bad peace deal is worse than war," he said in an interview with Colombian network RCN.

The first direct talks between Colombia's largest rebel group and the government were launched in November last year.

Chief government negotiator Humberto de la Calle said the aim was to get the rebels to give up their armed struggle and join the political process.

Agreement has already been achieved on land reform, but the negotiations are continuing on five other items on the agenda.

But in Bogota many people are still sceptical about Ivan Marquez's statement, says the BBC's Arturo Wallace.

They see the rebels' participation in the peace talks as a pretext to gain time and regroup.