One of the leaders of the rebel National Liberation Army (ELN) Monday disclosed that the guerrillas group next December is resuming peace talks with the government of President Álvaro Uribe, AP reported.

The spokesman and member of the ELN leadership Antonio García added that the new round of talks was agreed thanks to the efforts Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez made during recent meetings with ELN leaders and Colombian Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo to bring the parties closer.

"Together with the Commissioner we defined a session of work in mid-December," García told radio station Caracol. "The delegation of the ELN and the Colombian government are going to meet in Caracas."