Thousands marched on the main streets of the country's main cities waving large Colombian flags and white flags, and chanting pro-peace slogans.

In Bogota the business community donated a Colombian flag two kilometers (1.2 miles) long for citizens to hold on their march.

The peace marches followed traditional parades of soldiers and school children to celebrate the 193rd year of the country's independence from Spain.

President Alvaro Uribe was at one such parade in downtown Bogota along with his cabinet, top members of Congress and the Catholic church, and foreign diplomats.

Citizens were urged to participate in peace marches by the Ministry of Defense.

Colombia is in the fourth decade of a bitter three-way conflict that pits the government against two leftist rebel groups and right-wing paramilitary fighters.

WAR.WIRE