Colombia rebel released for talks

It is hoped that Galan can convince the ELN to begin talks

Colombia's government has temporarily freed a senior left-wing rebel leader in an attempt to start peace talks.

Francisco Galan, of the National Liberation Army (ELN), will be allowed to leave jail for three months to try to pave the way for a peace deal.

President Alvaro Uribe said earlier that if the ELN agreed a ceasefire he would make a reciprocal gesture.

The ELN and the larger Farc are involved in a 40-year conflict with state forces and right-wing fighters.

Concession

Galan would be allowed out of prison to hold meetings with "members of civil society and different sectors in the country to advance toward the start of a peace process", a government statement said.

The government hopes that Galan - who is serving a 30-year sentence for rebellion, terrorism and kidnapping - can convince the ELN to begin peace talks.

It has not made clear when Galan will be released.

Earlier this week, President Uribe said he was willing to recognise that Colombia was in an internal armed conflict - as the UN does - if the ELN agreed to a ceasefire.

The president's position so far has been that Colombia faces a terrorist threat from armed groups involved in the drugs trafficking.

Mr Uribe's government has already started a peace process with the country's main right-wing paramilitary group, the AUC, but the terms of it have been strongly criticised by human rights groups.

The Farc, or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the country's main rebel group, has refused to negotiate with the government.