Colombia asks for more time to remove landmines from territory

FILE PHOTO: Aleida Toro works with her mine detector in a zone where landmines were planted by rebel groups near Sonson in Antioquia province, November 19, 2015. REUTERS/Fredy Builes

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia has requested a more than four-year extension under the Ottawa Treaty for removing landmines from across the country, the High Peace Commissioner's office said on Monday.

If the request is granted, Colombia will have until the end of 2025 to remove anti-personnel landmines from its territory. The decision will be made on Nov. 20.