Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he's willing to help Colombia's government and leftist FARC rebels broker a peace deal.

Speaking on national TV Tuesday, Chavez congratulated both sides on taking steps to end the Western Hemisphere's longest-running conflict. He said "there isn't a military solution" but "it needs a political solution."

Earlier in the day, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced the deal to launch peace talks next month, calling the accord a road map to "a definitive peace."

The pact was reached after six months of direct talks in Cuba, with that country's government and Norway serving as brokers.

The agreement was signed Aug. 27 and doesn't include a cease-fire or grant a safe haven to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC.