Balloons were released at City Hall in Paris onWednesday, Women's International Day, asking that Ingrid Betancourt, held hostage in Colombia for four years, be freed.

The message "Free her, free them" was printed on hundreds of balloons. They were released at the end of the ceremony in front of City Hall where for some months a giant portrait of Ingrid has been displayed.

"It was precisely while fighting for women, while protecting the civilian population, women and children that Ingrid was kidnapped," declared Ingrid's sister, Astrid.

She also referred to Clara Rojas, Ingrid's campaign director whom FARC also kidnapped on 23 February 2002.

In the opinion of her sister Astrid, Ingrid Betancourt is "held by FARC but also by the inactivity of the Colombian government".

Former hostage Florence Aubenas came to say "every little action counts".

Another portrait of Ingrid was placed to the railings of the National Assembly.

FARC confirmed on their Internet site on 21 February that they would not negotiate a humanitarian exchange with President Alvaro Uribe, thereby freeing those held hostage.