The Ingrid Betancourt support committee in Paris has set up a stand on the banks of the Seine and hope to collect at least 100,000 signatures in favour of releasing the former presidential candidate kidnapped by FARC in 2002.

The stand, where traditional Colombian produce will be sold in aid of the committee, was launched when the Paris beach was opened: the beach will be open until 20 august and is funded by the Paris municipality for the benefit and relief of both tourists and Parisians.

During this period, members of the committee hope to gather 30, 000 more signatures than in 2005, when the stand was originally set up, explained its co-ordinator, Adair Lamprea, who was kidnapped along with Ingrid Betancourt but was released the following morning.

"The aim of this initiative is to make sure that people do not forget Ingrid and that the Colombian government and FARC negotiate", Lamprea stated.

During the opening ceremony of "Paris Plage", Bertrand Delanoe, Mayor of Paris, came to greet those in charge of the stand and he encouraged them in their efforts.

The French government has undertaken various initiatives to try to obtain the liberation of Ingrid Betancourt of whom there has been no news for more than four years.