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Colombia awaits hostage's release Colombia rebels free politician
(about 1 hour later)
A helicopter carrying a Red Cross team has flown to a location in the Colombian jungle to pick up a hostage who rebels have said they will release. Farc rebels in Colombia have released a politician they had been holding for nearly seven years, the Red Cross says.
Sigifredo Lopez was seized from Cali's state assembly building in 2002. A helicopter carrying a Red Cross team flew to a pre-arranged location in the jungle to pick up Sigifredo Lopez.
Eleven other politicians kidnapped with him died in 2007 while in captivity, in still unclear circumstances. He was seized in April 2002 from Cali's state assembly. Eleven other politicians kidnapped with him died in 2007 while in captivity.
Since Sunday, the Farc rebels have freed five people in what they call "goodwill gestures" but are believed to be holding some 700 people for ransom. Since Sunday, the Farc rebels have freed five people in what they call "goodwill gestures".
They are believed to be holding some 700 people for ransom.
A helicopter carrying three Red Cross delegates and Senator Piedad Cordoba, who has been involved in negotiations for the hostages' release, took off on Thursday morning local time to collect Mr Lopez.A helicopter carrying three Red Cross delegates and Senator Piedad Cordoba, who has been involved in negotiations for the hostages' release, took off on Thursday morning local time to collect Mr Lopez.
He is believed to be the last politician in rebel hands. Four members of the armed forces were freed on Sunday and a former governor on Tuesday.He is believed to be the last politician in rebel hands. Four members of the armed forces were freed on Sunday and a former governor on Tuesday.
They were among some two dozen politicians, police and soldiers held by the Farc, which has long sought to exchange them for some of its jailed members.They were among some two dozen politicians, police and soldiers held by the Farc, which has long sought to exchange them for some of its jailed members.
'Far from beaten''Far from beaten'
The guerrillas, who have suffered recent setbacks as the government drives them further into mountain and jungle areas, are seeking to regain political relevancy with these unilateral releases, says the BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Medellin.The guerrillas, who have suffered recent setbacks as the government drives them further into mountain and jungle areas, are seeking to regain political relevancy with these unilateral releases, says the BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Medellin.
However, Alan Jara, who was freed on Tuesday, said that the rebels were far from beaten and many young people continued to join their ranks. However, Alan Jara, who was freed on Tuesday, said the rebels were far from beaten and many young people continued to join their ranks.
Alan Jara (right) was reunited with his family on TuesdayAlan Jara (right) was reunited with his family on Tuesday
He accused President Alvaro Uribe of doing nothing to win the hostages' freedom.He accused President Alvaro Uribe of doing nothing to win the hostages' freedom.
The former governor called for urgent moves to exchange hostages, saying those held in the jungle could wait no longer.The former governor called for urgent moves to exchange hostages, saying those held in the jungle could wait no longer.
Mr Uribe has refused to accept the rebels' conditions for swapping hostages which include pulling troops back to create a safe haven, arguing that this would allow the Farc to regroup and rearm.Mr Uribe has refused to accept the rebels' conditions for swapping hostages which include pulling troops back to create a safe haven, arguing that this would allow the Farc to regroup and rearm.
It is hoped that Sigifredo Lopez, if he is freed, can shed some light on the deaths of his 11 colleagues. It is hoped that Sigifredo Lopez, can shed some light on the deaths of his 11 colleagues.
They were shot dead in June 2007. The rebels said that the hostages died in crossfire when one of their camps was attacked.They were shot dead in June 2007. The rebels said that the hostages died in crossfire when one of their camps was attacked.
But the government accused the rebels of murder, saying there had been no military operations in the area at the time. It is believed Mr Lopez was being held at another camp.But the government accused the rebels of murder, saying there had been no military operations in the area at the time. It is believed Mr Lopez was being held at another camp.