President Jacques Chirac spoke on Thursday evening 10 February with the Colombian President Alvaro Uribe to whom he conveyed his 'concern' about the fate of the French- Colombian Ingrid Betancourt, held hostage for three years by Marxist rebel group FARC.

" The President of the Republic spoke of his concern and that of the French people about Ingrid Betancourt" stated the Elysée spokesman, Jerome Bonnafont.

FARC rebels in Colombia kidnapped former candidate in the Colombian Presidential elections, Ingrid Betancourt in February 2002.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Michel Barnier, declared on 9 February that the fate of Ingrid Betancourt was one of the priorities of the French Diplomatic service.

Jacques Chirac described as 'a welcome development' decisions reached during a recent meeting in Cartagena in Colombia, last week concerning the demobilisation of right wing paramilitaries and the exchanges of prisoners.

In 2003, the Colombian government began talks with AUC paramilitaries (United Defence forces of Colombia)

President Uribe cancelled his trip to Europe this week on health grounds.