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Betancourt reunited with family Betancourt reunited with family
(30 minutes later)
Ingrid Betancourt has been reunited with her children - a day after being freed from more than six years of captivity in the Colombian jungle.Ingrid Betancourt has been reunited with her children - a day after being freed from more than six years of captivity in the Colombian jungle.
The French-Colombian politician was among 15 hostages rescued without a shot being fired as their rebel captors were tricked into handing them over.The French-Colombian politician was among 15 hostages rescued without a shot being fired as their rebel captors were tricked into handing them over.
Her children travelled to Bogota from France for the emotional reunion.Her children travelled to Bogota from France for the emotional reunion.
Ms Betancourt said she would now work tirelessly for the freedom of all hostages being held by Farc rebels.Ms Betancourt said she would now work tirelessly for the freedom of all hostages being held by Farc rebels.
"It is most important that every Colombian feels that we will free them - that our brothers in the jungle will return," she said."It is most important that every Colombian feels that we will free them - that our brothers in the jungle will return," she said.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, which has been waging a war of independence for the past four decades, still holds more than 40 high-profile hostages, among up to 700 other captives.The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, which has been waging a war of independence for the past four decades, still holds more than 40 high-profile hostages, among up to 700 other captives.
'Orgy of kisses''Orgy of kisses'
A day after her release, Ms Betancourt raced up the steps of the aircraft to embrace her daughter, Melanie, and her son, Lorenzo Delloye-Betancourt, who had flown in from France.A day after her release, Ms Betancourt raced up the steps of the aircraft to embrace her daughter, Melanie, and her son, Lorenzo Delloye-Betancourt, who had flown in from France.
INGRID BETANCOURT Born on 25 December 1961Grows up in Paris1989: Returns to Colombia1994: Elected to lower house1998: Becomes a senator2002: Kidnapped by Farc rebels How the hostages were freedIn pictures: Hostages freedJoy as US hostages return homeMedia marvel at releaseINGRID BETANCOURT Born on 25 December 1961Grows up in Paris1989: Returns to Colombia1994: Elected to lower house1998: Becomes a senator2002: Kidnapped by Farc rebels How the hostages were freedIn pictures: Hostages freedJoy as US hostages return homeMedia marvel at release
She told reporters she was "so proud" of her children, who were 16 and 13 when she was seized.She told reporters she was "so proud" of her children, who were 16 and 13 when she was seized.
"They fought a battle, they dug deep into their characters, from the depths of their souls and fought a very beautiful battle," she said."They fought a battle, they dug deep into their characters, from the depths of their souls and fought a very beautiful battle," she said.
She described the reunion as "an orgy of kisses".She described the reunion as "an orgy of kisses".
"I don't know what I said to them. I think I cried... I told them that they would have to put up with me because I was going to stick to them like bubblegum and I was going to eat them up with kisses.""I don't know what I said to them. I think I cried... I told them that they would have to put up with me because I was going to stick to them like bubblegum and I was going to eat them up with kisses."
Her daughter said the reunion was "the toughest and most beautiful moment that my brother and I have lived through".
Presidential hopesPresidential hopes
Earlier, Ms Betancourt had hailed Wednesday's mission to free her and 14 fellow hostages as a "perfect operation".Earlier, Ms Betancourt had hailed Wednesday's mission to free her and 14 fellow hostages as a "perfect operation".
Colombian soldiers, posing as members of a non-government organisation, had flown the hostages to freedom in a helicopter.
HAVE YOUR SAYThis is the beginning of the end of Farc. As a Colombian citizen, I feel proud of my government and of the armed forces Pedro, Bogota, ColombiaSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYThis is the beginning of the end of Farc. As a Colombian citizen, I feel proud of my government and of the armed forces Pedro, Bogota, ColombiaSend us your comments
When the head of the operation told them that they were free, "the helicopter almost fell from the sky because we all jumped, shouted, cried and embraced", Ms Betancourt said. Colombian soldiers, posing as members of a non-government organisation, had flown the hostages to freedom in a helicopter.
The local commander in charge of the hostages, a man known as Cesar, and anoyther rebel were captured in the operation and will face justice, the authorities say.
Also released were three Americans and 11 members of the Colombian security forces, all said to be in relatively good health.Also released were three Americans and 11 members of the Colombian security forces, all said to be in relatively good health.
The Americans - military contractors Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell - have flown back to Texas, where they are expected to be reunited with their families and undergo medical tests.The Americans - military contractors Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell - have flown back to Texas, where they are expected to be reunited with their families and undergo medical tests.
CAPTIVITY TIMELINE Feb, 2002: Betancourt kidnapped by Farc rebelsFeb, 2003: US defence contractors Thomas Howes, Keith Stansell and Marc Gonsalves seized by after their plane goes down in southern ColombiaJan, 2008: Betancourt aide Clara Rojas and ex-congresswoman Consuelo Gonzalez freed by FarcMarch, 2008: Colombian forces raid rebel camp in Ecuador and kill Farc commander Raul ReyesMarch, 2008: Farc leader Manuel Marulanda dies of reported heart attackJuly, 2008: Colombian military frees Ms Betancourt, the three US contractors and 11 other hostages World reactionSend us your commentsBetancourt in her own words
Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe congratulated the army on the operation, and urged Farc to release its remaining hostages and seek peace.Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe congratulated the army on the operation, and urged Farc to release its remaining hostages and seek peace.
Emerging with other hostages from a military plane in the Colombian capital, Bogota, a pale but smiling Ms Betancourt had thanked the Colombian president, whom she had been running against as a presidential candidate when she was kidnapped in a Farc-controlled area of southern Colombia in 2002. Ms Betancourt had thanked the Colombian president, whom she had been running against as a presidential candidate when she was kidnapped in a Farc-controlled area of southern Colombia in 2002.
"I continue to aspire to serve Colombia as president," she added."I continue to aspire to serve Colombia as president," she added.
On Friday Ms Betancourt is due to travel to France to meet President Nicolas Sarkozy, who had made ensuring her rescue a foreign policy priority.On Friday Ms Betancourt is due to travel to France to meet President Nicolas Sarkozy, who had made ensuring her rescue a foreign policy priority.
Facing justice
Precise details of how the rescue operation unfolded remain sketchy, but Colombian Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos said the Farc rebels had been tricked into handing over the hostages.
He said that soldiers had posed as members of a fictitious non-government organisation that supposedly would fly the captives to a camp to meet rebel leader Alfonso Cano.
"The helicopters, which in reality were from the army, picked up the hostages in Guaviare and flew them to freedom," he said.
The local commander in charge of the hostages, a man known as Cesar, had boarded the helicopter with another rebel.
Both had been quickly overpowered and would now face justice, he added.
CAPTIVITY TIMELINE Feb, 2002: Betancourt kidnapped by Farc rebelsFeb, 2003: US defence contractors Thomas Howes, Keith Stansell and Marc Gonsalves seized by after their plane goes down in southern ColombiaJan, 2008: Betancourt aide Clara Rojas and ex-congresswoman Consuelo Gonzalez freed by FarcMarch, 2008: Colombian forces raid rebel camp in Ecuador and kill Farc commander Raul ReyesMarch, 2008: Farc leader Manuel Marulanda dies of reported heart attackJuly, 2008: Colombian military frees Ms Betancourt, the three US contractors and 11 other hostages World reactionSend us your commentsBetancourt in her own words
The US ambassador to Colombia, William Brownfield, said there had been "close co-operation" from the Americans, including the sharing of intelligence, equipment and training advice.The US ambassador to Colombia, William Brownfield, said there had been "close co-operation" from the Americans, including the sharing of intelligence, equipment and training advice.
The rescued Americans were captured after their light aircraft crashed in the Colombian jungle in 2003. 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 and a major blow to the Farc.
The 11 members of the Colombian security forces who were released had been captured in various rebel attacks.
World leaders welcomed the news, and celebrations erupted on the streets of Colombian cities as crowds hailed the jungle rescue in a country plagued for decades by kidnappings.
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 and a major blow to the Farc.
What's your reaction to Ingrid Betancourt's release? Do you know her or any of the other hostages? Send us your comments using the form below.
What's your reaction to Ingrid Betancourt's release? Do you know her or any of the other hostages? Send us your comments using the form below.
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