Ex-hostage is Colombia minister

Mr Araujo served in the government of Andres Pastrana

Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe has named Fernando Araujo as foreign minister, weeks after he escaped from six years' captivity in rebel hands.

He was held hostage by the left-wing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) until he fled last month.

Mr Araujo, 51, served as a minister in a previous Colombian administration.

He will replace Maria Consuelo Araujo - no relation - who resigned after her brother was arrested on suspicion of links with paramilitaries.

Prison break

Mr Araujo had been captured in December 2000, while jogging on the beach in Cartagena, his home town.

He escaped on 7 January this year during a military operation aimed at securing his release.

He bolted from the jungle prison where he was being held as a gunbattle erupted around him.

"The president of the republic informs his compatriots that he has designated as Foreign Minister Fernando Araujo Perdomo," Mr Uribe's office said in a statement.

The statement called Mr Araujo "a reflective citizen, who has suffered in this national tragedy".

He previously served as development minister in the government of Mr Uribe's predecessor, Andres Pastrana.

Resignation

Earlier on Monday, Maria Consuelo Araujo stepped down as foreign minister after the arrest of her brother - also named Araujo.

Alvaro Araujo, a senator, became the highest-ranked politician arrested on suspicion of links with paramilitary groups.

I am leaving for one reason: because I am not attached to my job, but rather what is best for the country Maria Consuelo Araujo

Ms Araujo's father is also being investigated for alleged paramilitary links.

The right-wing armed groups are accused of drug trafficking and massacres.

Confirming her resignation, Ms Araujo said the judicial process needed to take its natural course.

"I am leaving for one reason: because I am not attached to my job, but rather what is best for the country."

They have been involved in a long-running conflict with state forces and left-wing rebel forces.

Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed in the fighting.

Senator Araujo's arrest was ordered last Thursday by the Supreme Court, along with those of five other members of the coalition that backs the government.

Three other lawmakers were jailed in November for links to paramilitaries.

Some of the evidence against politicians came from a laptop belonging to a senior paramilitary warlord known as Jorge 40, or Rodrigo Tovar Pupo.

Despite the scandal, the president's popularity remains at 70%, recent opinion polls suggest.