This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7515939.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Betancourt in plea to Farc rebels Betancourt in plea to Farc rebels
(about 1 hour later)
The recently freed French-Colombian politician, Ingrid Betancourt, has urged her former captors, the Marxist Farc rebels, to release all hostages.The recently freed French-Colombian politician, Ingrid Betancourt, has urged her former captors, the Marxist Farc rebels, to release all hostages.
Ms Betancourt was leading a rally in the French capital, Paris - one in a series of global demonstrations calling for an end to kidnapping and for peace.Ms Betancourt was leading a rally in the French capital, Paris - one in a series of global demonstrations calling for an end to kidnapping and for peace.
Colombia is preparing for what is expected to be one of the biggest protest marches in its history. Large crowds of people in Colombia have taken to the streets, some holding photographs of missing loved ones.
The Farc has waged a 44-year civil war there and still holds 700 captives.The Farc has waged a 44-year civil war there and still holds 700 captives.
Up to 2,000 more people are believed to be held by the ELN (National Liberation Army), another left-wing rebel group.
Cries for freedom
In Paris, thousands gathered near the Eiffel Tower to hear Ms Betancourt, who was freed in a daring military rescue earlier this month after six years in captivity.In Paris, thousands gathered near the Eiffel Tower to hear Ms Betancourt, who was freed in a daring military rescue earlier this month after six years in captivity.
She read out a list of names of those still held by the Farc and called for their release. She read out a list of names of those still held by the Farc (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) and called for their release.
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 freedOrdeal of remaining hostagesQ&A: The civil conflict
"We want freedom for everyone," said Ms Betancourt, speaking in Spanish amid applause and chants from the crowd of "Libertad", or Freedom."We want freedom for everyone," said Ms Betancourt, speaking in Spanish amid applause and chants from the crowd of "Libertad", or Freedom.
Her speech was also broadcast in Colombia, where marches are expected to take place in most of the country's more than 1,000 municipalities. Her speech was also broadcast in Colombia, where marches are taking place in most of the country's more than 1,000 municipalities, coinciding with the nation's independence day.
Pop star Shakira is to lead the biggest demonstration, in Bogota, where people will walk along six different routes around the capital. Pop star Shakira is leading the biggest demonstration, in Bogota, where people are walking along six different routes around the capital.
But the BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Bogata says the question is whether the rebels of the Farc group are going to listen. The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Bogata says a huge crowd of people dressed in white t-shirts swarmed into the capital's main square.
He describes cries of "Libertad! Libertad!" echoing off the high-rise buildings.
But he says the question is whether the rebels of the Farc group are going to listen.
'Impervious''Impervious'
A previous demonstration in February this year saw almost a million people take to the streets in Bogota alone.A previous demonstration in February this year saw almost a million people take to the streets in Bogota alone.
Now, after the successful rescue of 15 hostages earlier this month from the Farc (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), the best-known of whom was Ms Betancourt, the turnout is expected to be even greater, with concerts and events being held in more than 40 countries. Now, after the successful rescue of 15 hostages earlier this month from the Farc, the best-known of whom was Ms Betancourt, the turnout is expected to be even greater, with concerts and events being held in more than 40 countries.
Our correspondent says the Farc appear to be impervious to cries for an end to kidnapping, let alone an end to the 44-year civil conflict.Our correspondent says the Farc appear to be impervious to cries for an end to kidnapping, let alone an end to the 44-year civil conflict.
Earlier this week, they kidnapped 10 people travelling down the Atrato River in the western province of Choco.Earlier this week, they kidnapped 10 people travelling down the Atrato River in the western province of Choco.
While being badly hit by government offensives and a series of recent setbacks, there has been no softening of their position.While being badly hit by government offensives and a series of recent setbacks, there has been no softening of their position.
Yet even the Farc will have to pay attention to not just millions of Colombians but cries from around the world to end the kidnapping and violence, our correspondent says.Yet even the Farc will have to pay attention to not just millions of Colombians but cries from around the world to end the kidnapping and violence, our correspondent says.
/>
Are you in Bogota or any of the other cities where the demonstrations are taking place? What do you hope they will achieve? Send us your comments using the form below. If you have any pictures you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Bogota or any of the other cities where the demonstrations are taking place? What do you hope they will achieve? Send us your comments using the form below. If you have any pictures you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.
Find out more about how to send your pictures Find out more about how to send your pictures
Name
 Name