FARC rebels announced on Sunday the forthcoming freedom of two policemen they are holding. They are demanding the presence of the International Red Cross Committee, the independent candidate in the presidential elections, Alvaro Leyva and former President Alfonso Lopez Michelsen.

FARC have indicated in a statement that their decision was made following an interview that Alvaro Leyva had had with their leader Manuel Marulanda, in December in a mountainous area of the country.

"We have a chance to show public opinion, both national and international that the humanitarian exchange (of kidnapped people for imprisoned rebels, editor's note) was not possible with (the Colombian President Alvaro) Uribe due to his lack of political will", added the statement, released by Anncol, the agency that broadcasts information from FARC.

Colombia is in the middle of two election campaigns, with the national assembly elections on 12 March and the presidential elections on 28 May. President Uribe is seeking to serve a second term of four years in office. The two policemen are to be freed between the 13 and 18 March, according to the statement released by FARC