Leaders of the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia have again said they will suspend peace talks with the government unless it withdraws its remaining one-hundred soldiers from a region controlled by the guerrillas.

A rebel commander said if the government did not demilitarize the area, it would damage hopes for a solution to the conflict.

The Colombian president, Andres Pastrana, responded by saying that peace could not be made with ultimatums.

The two sides had been due to meet today Friday to discuss a prisoner exchange, but correspondents say the meeting now appears unlikely to take place.