Colombia renews hostage swap bid

By Warren Bull
BBC News

Ms Betancourt has been held by Farc for five years

The Colombian government has relaunched attempts to exchange imprisoned left-wing Farc rebels for hostages kidnapped by the group.

The peace commissioner, Luis Carlos Restrepo, said he had been given permission to hold direct talks with Farc representatives.

Last month, Colombia cut short the mediation efforts of Hugo Chavez, president of neighbouring Venezuela.

Images were found last week showing that several hostages were still alive.

Distressing images

When the Colombian government ended Mr Chavez's mediation efforts, relatives of those held by the Farc - the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - felt that a crucial chance had been wasted.

Videos seized by the Colombian authorities last week provided proof that several of the high-profile hostages were alive - among them the former presidential candidate, Ingrid Betancourt.

But images of the French-Colombian politician looking gaunt against a jungle backdrop distressed many and helped bring more pressure on Bogota, including by the French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The government has now responded, with Mr Restrepo saying he has been given the go-ahead to hold direct talks with the Farc.

"The president has made clear to the high commissioner for peace his immediate disposition to reach a humanitarian agreement, to alleviate the suffering of those who remain in the hands of the Farc," he said.

The commissioner said the main requirement for an exchange was that the Farc should provide a list of the guerrillas they wanted to see released.

And there may be a role for the French president, although that would not be one of direct mediation in the manner of Hugo Chavez.

But while the Farc maintains its silence over the offer, few expect an agreement can be reached any time soon.