A hundred people gathered outside the residence of the Colombian Ambassador in Paris to ask the Colombian government for "concrete proof" that is working for the liberation of hostages in particular of the freedom of Ingrid Betancourt, held by FARC for more than 1,300 days.

In the presence of Melanie Betancourt, daughter of the former presidential candidate and accompanied by Florence Aubenas who was kidnapped in Iraq in the beginning of the year, the protestors met up in front of the diplomatic residence.

This protest was organised by the Parisian Ingrid Betancourt Support Committee and placards were carried with the following slogans" Do not oppose freedom for Ingrid and the hostages" and "Proof…Now!"

A spokesperson for the committee stated that those present would have liked to have met the Colombian Ambassador but the latter had left an hour previously. "He did not want to speak to us. Probably following the orders of his government," he said.

Ingrid Betancourt's daughter asked that the campaign to liberate her mother be continued. Ingrid Betancourt has been held by FARC since 23 February 2002, when she was campaigning in the Presidential elections as a member of the Green Oxygen Party.

Melanie asked the Colombian government to agree to the suggestion made by FARC to suspend all military activities for 30 days in the villages of Florida and Predera, an area of 500 square kilometres.

The Parisian committee asked for proof that the government of Colombia is working, as it has stated, for the liberation of Ingrid Betancourt and the other hostages.

"The government says that it is looking after this issue but there has not been any result. We want proof that it is working to resolve a situation that cannot continue", said the spokesperson.

As well, the committee called on the French government not "to be complacent about what has been done so far, to have established contact with FARC, but to continue to work" for the liberation of the female politician.