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Betancourt 'rescued in Colombia' Betancourt 'rescued in Colombia'
(10 minutes later)
The Colombian authorities say they have rescued Ingrid Betancourt and three Americans held by rebels in Colombia.The Colombian authorities say they have rescued Ingrid Betancourt and three Americans held by rebels in Colombia.
Ms Betancourt, a French-Colombian politician, has been held for more than six years by the rebel Farc group and is said to be in very poor health.Ms Betancourt, a French-Colombian politician, has been held for more than six years by the rebel Farc group and is said to be in very poor health.
She is the group's highest-profile hostage and the French government has made securing her release a priority.She is the group's highest-profile hostage and the French government has made securing her release a priority.
The Farc group has been fighting to overthrow the Colombian government for more than 40 years.The Farc group has been fighting to overthrow the Colombian government for more than 40 years.
Colombian Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos said no-one had been hurt in Wednesday's operation in the southern province of Guaviare and that the hostages were in relatively good health.Colombian Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos said no-one had been hurt in Wednesday's operation in the southern province of Guaviare and that the hostages were in relatively good health.
Ms Betancourt's son, Lorenzo Delloye-Betancourt, told the Associated Press news agency in Paris that her release was the "most beautiful news of my life". Ms Betancourt's son, Lorenzo Delloye-Betancourt, told the Associated Press news agency in Paris that her release was "if true, the most beautiful news of my life".
Government 'success'Government 'success'
The Colombian military said some 15 hostages had been rescued in total, among them 11 members of the Colombian security forces.The Colombian military said some 15 hostages had been rescued in total, among them 11 members of the Colombian security forces.
INGRID BETANCOURT Born on 25 December 1961Grows up in Paris1989: Returns to Colombia1994: Elected to lower house1998: Becomes a senator2002: Kidnapped by Farc rebels Profile: Ingrid BetancourtINGRID BETANCOURT Born on 25 December 1961Grows up in Paris1989: Returns to Colombia1994: Elected to lower house1998: Becomes a senator2002: Kidnapped by Farc rebels Profile: Ingrid Betancourt
The three Americans rescued were defence department contract workers captured after their light aircraft crashed in the Colombian jungle in 2003, the Colombian military said.The three Americans rescued were defence department contract workers captured after their light aircraft crashed in the Colombian jungle in 2003, the Colombian military said.
The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Medellin says the successful operation by Colombian security forces will be seen as a coup for the country's government. The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Medellin says the successful operation by Colombian security forces is a political and military coup for the country's government.
As such, it will relieve the pressure on President Alvaro Uribe to negotiate with the Farc - the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - allowing him to continue with his US-backed military offensive against the group, our correspondent says.As such, it will relieve the pressure on President Alvaro Uribe to negotiate with the Farc - the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - allowing him to continue with his US-backed military offensive against the group, our correspondent says.
The Farc had hoped to exchange some 60 political hostages for hundreds of rebels held by the Colombian government, he adds, but with Ms Betancourt's rescue they have lost a powerful negotiating tool.The Farc had hoped to exchange some 60 political hostages for hundreds of rebels held by the Colombian government, he adds, but with Ms Betancourt's rescue they have lost a powerful negotiating tool.
The Farc still holds more than 40 hostages.The Farc still holds more than 40 hostages.
The news of Ms Betancourt's rescue will also be welcomed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who had made securing her release a foreign policy priority.The news of Ms Betancourt's rescue will also be welcomed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who had made securing her release a foreign policy priority.
The AFP news agency reports that the French president's office has confirmed Ms Betancourt's release.The AFP news agency reports that the French president's office has confirmed Ms Betancourt's release.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner travelled to Latin America earlier this year to build ties with regional leaders who have been influential in securing hostage releases from Farc in the past.French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner travelled to Latin America earlier this year to build ties with regional leaders who have been influential in securing hostage releases from Farc in the past.
Ms Betancourt was kidnapped in 2002.Ms Betancourt was kidnapped in 2002.
She is believed to suffer from serious liver problems and was pictured looking frail in a recent video.She is believed to suffer from serious liver problems and was pictured looking frail in a recent video.