Colombian President Alavaro Uribe has met Alvaro Leyva, his former opponent in the recent presidential elections. Leyva had acted as a facilitator some years ago between the Colombian government and FARC.

According to local media reports, both men met in Government offices at the invitation of Uribe who proposed to set up contact with FARC. Luis Carlos Rostrepo, High Commissioner for Peace and Fabio Valencia, presidential adviser took part in the meeting which was held after a political campaign in which Leyva had severely criticised Uribe, in particular for his policies on security and his stance on the internal armed conflict, as reported by Radio Caracol.

Former minister Leyva withdrew from the election as a member of the "National Movement for Reconciliation " two weeks before the elections held on 28 may last.

The head of state announced two weeks ago that he was ready to begin his second term in office which he would begin on 7 August next with efforts to establish steps towards peace with FARC.

FARC are offering to exchange by means of a humanitarian agreement sixty hostages who they hold for about 500 imprisoned rebels. The hostages include non-commissioned and commissioned officers from the army, politicians, foreigners (three Americans), some of whom have been held for more than eight years. Ingrid Betancourt and Clara Rojas are among the political hostages.

Leyva, who promised during his campaign that he would " stop the war in six months" was a facilitator in 1982 and 1998 in peace efforts that allowed the then leaders to begin a peace process that did not succeed.