Washington, October 9 (RHC-Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday underscored continued strong support for efforts of the Colombia government to end a decades-old civil conflict, the White House said.

In his telephone conversation with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, Obama expressed U.S. readiness to work closely with Colombia during the post-conflict period, the White House said in a statement.

The Colombian government and FARC, the largest leftist anti- government insurgency in the country, started a peace process in December 2012 in Cuba, seeking to end a 50-year-long civil conflict.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly last month, Santos said he had brought hope to the session that "Colombia will soon be at peace." Noting "immense challenges" in Colombia's post-conflict phase, Santos called on world nations to offer support to ensure that " humanity overcomes war."

Over the phone, Obama also lauded Colombia's announcement at a UN summit on September 26th that it would contribute troops to UN peacekeeping efforts.

Both leaders committed to continue working closely to promote security and prosperity in the Americas and around the world, the White House statement said.