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Betancourt needs urgent treatment Betancourt needs urgent treatment
(about 3 hours later)
The Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt needs a blood transfusion within hours to stay alive, according to her son. Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt needs a blood transfusion within hours to stay alive, according to her son.
Lorenzo Delloye says his mother has hepatitis B and a skin disease, which require a blood transfusion "in the coming hours". Lorenzo Delloye says his mother, who is also a French national, has hepatitis B and a skin disease which require a transfusion "in the coming hours".
Ms Betancourt, who also holds French nationality, was captured by Farc rebels in 2002, while campaigning for the presidency. Ms Betancourt was captured by left-wing Farc rebels in 2002 while campaigning for the Colombian presidency.
A French medical mission is to leave for Colombia on Wednesday or Thursday. A joint French, Spanish and Italian medical mission is due to leave for Colombia within the next day.
The French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said the team would leave "as soon as possible".The French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said the team would leave "as soon as possible".
He added: "We have high hopes. We have done all we humanly could, and now we need to wait for our envoys, the doctor, to reach the field." He added: "We have high hopes. We have done all we humanly could and now we need to wait for our envoys, the doctor, to reach the field."
'In danger''In danger'
French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced the mission on Tuesday, after Colombia agreed to suspend military operations against the rebels. French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced the mission after Colombia agreed to suspend military operations against the rebels.
He said Ms Betancourt, held in the Colombian jungle for six years, was "in danger of imminent death". "A humanitarian mission of three facilitator countries, Spain, France and Switzerland, has started, in liaison with concerned authorities," a statement from the French president's office said.
Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe said the French mission, which will be accompanied by the International Committee of the Red Cross, had his full backing. Mr Sarkozy said Ms Betancourt, held in the Colombian jungle for six years, was "in danger of imminent death".
It is not yet clear whether a plane carrying the team has left for Colombia or whether Ms Betancourt's rebel captors will allow the medical mission access.
INGRID BETANCOURT Ingrid Betancourt before her kidnap (left) and several years later (right) Born on 25 December 1961Grows up in Paris1989: Returns to Colombia1994: Elected to lower house1998: Becomes a senator2002: Kidnapped by Farc rebels Profile: Ingrid BetancourtINGRID BETANCOURT Ingrid Betancourt before her kidnap (left) and several years later (right) Born on 25 December 1961Grows up in Paris1989: Returns to Colombia1994: Elected to lower house1998: Becomes a senator2002: Kidnapped by Farc rebels Profile: Ingrid Betancourt
Mr Delloye made an eleventh-hour appeal at a news conference in Paris on Wednesday.
"This is my last appeal. There's no more time. Either we free Mom and the other hostages or we'll lose them, and that's a question of hours," he was quoted as saying by Associated Press (AP).
Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe said the French mission, which will be accompanied by the International Committee of the Red Cross, had his full backing.
"We have expressed our complete agreement to allow this international medical mission to make contact with the hostages and treat them," he said."We have expressed our complete agreement to allow this international medical mission to make contact with the hostages and treat them," he said.
The French president's office said over the weekend that a medically equipped plane was on stand-by to evacuate Ms Betancourt if she was released.
'Grave blow'
The BBC's Jeremy McDermott reports from Colombia that there is as yet no indication from Farc that they are ready to give up their most high-profile hostage.The BBC's Jeremy McDermott reports from Colombia that there is as yet no indication from Farc that they are ready to give up their most high-profile hostage.
'Grave blow'
He says that the recent killing of the group's chief negotiator was described by the rebels as a "grave blow".He says that the recent killing of the group's chief negotiator was described by the rebels as a "grave blow".
Last week France offered to take in Farc rebels released from prison in exchange for 46-year-old Ms Betancourt, who has been held in the jungle since she was seized.Last week France offered to take in Farc rebels released from prison in exchange for 46-year-old Ms Betancourt, who has been held in the jungle since she was seized.
She was pictured looking thin and frail in a recent video.She was pictured looking thin and frail in a recent video.
Her case has drawn broad international attention for years, particularly in France, where she holds nationality acquired through her marriage to a Frenchman.Her case has drawn broad international attention for years, particularly in France, where she holds nationality acquired through her marriage to a Frenchman.
Her former husband has said he fears she may be dying or already dead.Her former husband has said he fears she may be dying or already dead.
She is one of 39 high-profile hostages whom Farc would like to exchange for 500 rebels currently in prison.She is one of 39 high-profile hostages whom Farc would like to exchange for 500 rebels currently in prison.
The rebel group has been fighting the Colombian government for over 40 years.The rebel group has been fighting the Colombian government for over 40 years.