Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba and Miguel d’Escoto, Chairman of the UN General Assembly will meet in Nicaragua and will discuss the FARC hostage situation, a member of her staff announced.

According to the statement, Cordoba - who is travelling to Managua - and d’Escoto will talk about the theme of “peace in Colombia” and the senator’s mediation “in the release of hostages” held by FARC.

Marxist rebels kidnapped at least 24 soldiers and policemen whom they wish to exchange for 500 imprisoned rebels.

Cordoba, member of the opposition (Liberal) party, plans to bring up the subject at a meeting she will have with President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, AFP was told by one of her advisers. Cordoba goes to Quito on 30 July.

A week ago, Parliament authorised President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia to participate in the eventual hostage release. In his speech, the president ruled out the exchange and demanded that all hostages be released simultaneously and unconditionally.

Tuesday, Cordoba, - who is the past led the handover of other hostages- insisted on having a meeting with Uribe, to clarify her position as mediator.