Colombia army says twelve rebels killed in combat

Government troops in Colombia say they've killed at least twelve left-wing guerrillas in clashes in central coffee-growing areas.

The army says ten rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia -- known as FARC -- were shot dead in heavy fighting in Risaralda province on Saturday; they say another two were killed in Caldas province the night before.

An army spokesman said the rebels were trying to strengthen their presence in the region.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service