Colombia,

CARTAGENA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia’s government and its largest rebel movement signed a historic peace accord Monday in an emotional ceremony that seeks to put an end to a half-century of combat and put the war-weary nation on the path to reconciliation.

President Juan Manuel Santos and Rodrigo Londono, leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, signed the agreement before a crowd of 2,500 foreign dignitaries and special guests, including U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

Many in the audience had tears in their eyes, and shouts rose urging Santos and Londono to “Hug, hug, hug!” In the end, the two men just clasped hands and smiled effusively. Then Santos removed from his lapel a pin shaped like a white dove that he’s been wearing for years and handed it over to his former adversary, who fastened it on his own shirt.

It was one of many symbolic gestures that filled the 90-minute ceremony held at sunset overlooking the historic ramparts of Cartagena, nicknamed the “Heroic City” for its prominent role in Colombia’s battle for independence from Spain.

The event kicked off with Santos unlocking with a metal key a giant door, representing a new beginning, through which 15 Latin American presidents and the two sides’ negotiating teams crossed while taking their seats on the stage. All guests were told to wear white and Santos and Londono signed the 297-page accord with pens made from recycled shells used in combat.

Borrowing phrases from Colombia’s 19th century national anthem, Santos, who for years was the