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22:09 GMT, Friday, 4 July 2008 23:09 UK

In pictures: France hails Betancourt

Ingrid Betancourt leaves the plane in Paris

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Ingrid Betancourt walked carefully down the plane steps as President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni prepared to give her a hero's welcome.

Nicolas Sarkozy, Carla Bruni and Ingrid Betancourt at the Paris airstrip

Nicolas Sarkozy, Carla Bruni and Ingrid Betancourt at the Paris airstrip

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Ms Betancourt hailed Mr Sarkozy as an "extraordinary man" and thanked France for saving her life.

The hands of Mr Sarkozy (L) and Ms Betancourt

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Mr Sarkozy and Ms Betancourt held hands as they made speeches on the Tarmac of the runway.

The Betancourts: Astrid, Lorenzo, Ingrid, Stanislas, Ingrid and Melanie at the Elysee Palace

The Betancourts: Astrid, Lorenzo, Ingrid, Stanislas, Ingrid and Melanie at the Elysee Palace

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The Betancourt family, who had campaigned tirelessly for her release, all attended a ceremony at the Elysee Palace.

Ms Betancourt at TV channel TF1's studios, with journalist Claire Chazal

Ms Betancourt at TV channel TF1's studios, with journalist Claire Chazal

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As part of a hectic schedule on her first day in Paris, Ms Betancourt also managed to fit in a TV interview.

A giant poster of Ingrid Betancourt is pulled down outside Paris's City Hall

A giant poster of Ingrid Betancourt is pulled down outside Paris's City Hall

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Later thousands gathered outside the Hotel de Ville in Paris as Ms Betancourt pulled down the iconic image of her in captivity.

Video footage of Ingrid Betancourt and Colombian soldiers

Video footage of Ingrid Betancourt and Colombian soldiers

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Meanwhile, the Colombian government released video footage of the daring raid in which Ms Betancourt and 14 other hostages were freed.

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Related to this story:
Video shows daring Colombian raid (04 Jul 08 | Americas )