Colombia arms appeal

Colombia's second largest rebel group has called for international aid during a conference in Spain, but warned European countries to ensure it is not used on military spending.

Raul Reyes, commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, said Europe could help to find a lasting solution to the thirty-five year-old war.

But he said European countries must be careful not get involved in the war itself.

The conference at the town of Alcala de Henares was organised by a third world solidarity group ahead a meeting of European leaders in Madrid in July on how to contribute to Colombia's peace plan. FARC and the government are due to start talks on a truce on July 3rd.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service