The Colombian rebel movement the FARC has called on French President Nicolas Sarkozy to tone down. The movement says the president should not give the impression that he is bias, if he wants any chance of the hostages being released.

On Wednesday, President Sarkozy offered to mediate between the Colombian government and the rebels. He called on the FARC to free dozens of hostages, including the French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt. His condemnation of the FARC's methods went down badly with the rebel movement.

The FARC says it admires the president's offer, but also makes it clear that something must be given in return for a release. The FARC wants Colombia to withdraw its soldiers from a pre-defined area. Colombian President Alvaro Uribe is not keen on such an exchange.