COLOMBIA –President Juan Manuel Santos has dismissed the army's intelligence head,  Gen Mauricio Ricardo Zuniga, over allegations of spying on government officials negotiating with Farc rebels at peace talks in Cuba.

He was dismissed along with the director of the army's technical intelligence centre, Gen Oscar Zuluaga, while a full investigation takes place.

It was gathered that an elite military group was set up to intercept the officials' mobile phone calls.

The alleged interference was described by President Santos as "totally unacceptable".

The sacking of both army officers was announced on Tuesday by the Defence Minister, Juan Carlos Pinzon, after a meeting with the Colombian Chief Prosecutor, Eduardo Montealegre.