Colombian warlord seized

The Colombian army says it has arrested a far-right paramilitary leader wanted for killing 450 people in the river port of Barrancabermeja.

Soldiers seized Said Sepulveda, who belongs to the outlawed United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC) in his stronghold near an oil refinery in the city.

The port used to be controlled by left-wing guerrillas until the paramilitary units took over, killing those it suspected of being leftists.

Earlier, the army said it had rescued eight hostages held by the second largest rebel group, the National Liberation Army, or ELN.

The hostages were released in a rural area some 850 kilometres north of the capital, Bogota.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service