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Colombia hostages 'to be freed' Colombia hostages freed by Farc
(about 3 hours later)
Preparations are under way for the expected release of four hostages held by Colombia's main leftist rebel group, the Farc. Colombian leftist rebels the Farc have handed over four high-profile hostages to a humanitarian delegation, a spokesman for mediators says.
A humanitarian mission headed by Senator Piedad Cordoba, the left-wing deputy who helped broker the deal, has headed into the jungle by helicopter. A spokesman for Senator Piedad Cordoba, the left-wing deputy who helped broker the deal, said the four had left the jungle by helicopter.
The captives - three police officers and a soldier - are among 28 "political hostages" held by Farc. They are said to be well, and have spoken to their families by telephone.
The captives - three police officers and a soldier - were among 28 "political hostages" held by Farc.
The Farc says two politicians will also be released later in the week.The Farc says two politicians will also be released later in the week.
It will be the first unilateral releases by Farc in almost a year, but analysts say chances for peace talks with Colombia's government remain remote. They were the first unilateral releases by Farc in almost a year, but analysts say chances for peace talks with Colombia's government remain remote.
Army pauseArmy pause
Senator Cordoba has been joined by a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to secure the release of the hostages. Senator Cordoba was joined by a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to secure the release of the hostages.
They have flown into the jungle of Caqueta state to a pre-arranged spot to receive the hostages. They flew into the jungle of Caqueta state to a pre-arranged spot to receive the hostages.
After the handover, they are expected to fly to Villavicencio, a city east of Bogota. After the handover, they set off by helicopter to Villavicencio, a city east of Bogota.
The army has ceased operations in the area for a limited period to allow the hostage handover.The army has ceased operations in the area for a limited period to allow the hostage handover.
Farc has said it will be followed by the release of a former lawmaker, Sigifredo Lopez, and a former governor, Alan Jara, by Wednesday.Farc has said it will be followed by the release of a former lawmaker, Sigifredo Lopez, and a former governor, Alan Jara, by Wednesday.
The six are among some 28 "political hostages" held by the group in the hope of securing the release of some of their own jailed members.The six are among some 28 "political hostages" held by the group in the hope of securing the release of some of their own jailed members.
Farc is also believed to hold hundreds of other hostages.Farc is also believed to hold hundreds of other hostages.