Colombia group 'to free hostages'

The rebels released a video of the hostages in October

Leftist guerrillas in Colombia have said they will release two of seven foreign tourists seized two months ago.

The rebels said they would free Asier Huegun of Spain and Reinhilt Weigel of Germany on Monday.

They made no mention of the five remaining hostages, Briton Mark Henderson and four Israelis.

Last month the rebels - of the National Liberation Army (ELN) - released a video of the hostages, threatening to kill them if a rescue was attempted.

The Colombian Government, helped by Roman Catholic Church mediators, has been trying to negotiate the release of the hostages for weeks.

Earlier negotiations stalled over the rebels' refusal to release all the hostages at once

HOSTAGES HELD Israelis Beni Daniel, Ortaz Ohayon, Ido Joseph Guy, and Erez Altawil Spaniard Asier Huegun Briton Mark Henderson German Reinhilt Weigel

Another Briton, Matthew Scott, was abducted with the others on 12 September but escaped from the rebels soon after the kidnapping.

The hostage-takers are demanding an investigation into what they call the oppression of indigenous people by right-wing paramilitaries in the area.

Last month the rebels released a video of the hostages, threatening to kill them if a rescue was attempted.

The British, German and Spanish hostages complained of hunger and urged the Colombian Government to help secure their release.

The four Israelis did not speak but were seen playing cards.

The seven backpackers were seized near ruins in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

The ELN is Colombia's second-largest rebel group after the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).