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Colombia's Farc to free hostage Colombia's Farc release hostage
(about 4 hours later)
A Red Cross team has flown by helicopter into the Colombian jungle to pick up a politician held by Farc rebels since 2001, the Red Cross says. Colombian Farc rebels have released a politician held hostage since 2001, the Red Cross has said.
The mission to collect former provincial governor Alan Jara was delayed from Monday. Former provincial governor Alan Jara was delivered to a Red Cross team who flew by helicopter into the Colombian jungle to pick him up.
Three Red Cross delegates and Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba - who helped negotiate Mr Jara's release - were on the helicopter, the Red Cross said.Three Red Cross delegates and Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba - who helped negotiate Mr Jara's release - were on the helicopter, the Red Cross said.
The operation follows Farc's voluntary release of four hostages on Sunday.The operation follows Farc's voluntary release of four hostages on Sunday.
A helicopter collected the three police officers and a soldier, all held by Farc since 2007, from a pre-arranged spot in the jungle and flew them to Villavicencio, east of Bogota.A helicopter collected the three police officers and a soldier, all held by Farc since 2007, from a pre-arranged spot in the jungle and flew them to Villavicencio, east of Bogota.
They were the first captives to be unilaterally released by the rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) in almost a year.They were the first captives to be unilaterally released by the rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) in almost a year.
Farc setbacksFarc setbacks
The Brazilian helicopter sent to pick up Mr Jara also left from Villavicencio, Spanish news agency EFE reported.The Brazilian helicopter sent to pick up Mr Jara also left from Villavicencio, Spanish news agency EFE reported.
He is being released in the same area of jungle, in Caqueta state, where the four hostages were freed on Sunday. He was released in the same area of jungle, in Caqueta state, where the four hostages were freed on Sunday.
The mission to release Mr Jara was put back from Monday after an apparent dispute over Colombian military activity in the area where he was to be handed over. The mission to release Mr Jara on Tuesday was put back from Monday after an apparent dispute over Colombian military activity in the area where he was to be handed over.
Mr Jara was kidnapped by Farc in July 2001.Mr Jara was kidnapped by Farc in July 2001.
He is one of about two dozen "political hostages" held by the group, which wants to use them to secure the release of some of their own jailed members. He was one of about two dozen "political hostages" held by the group, which wants to use them to secure the release of some of their own jailed members.
Another hostage, former provincial legislator Sigifredo Lopez, is to be released on Thursday in western Colombia, Ms Cordoba said on Monday.Another hostage, former provincial legislator Sigifredo Lopez, is to be released on Thursday in western Colombia, Ms Cordoba said on Monday.
The Farc, who have been fighting the government since the 1960s, are believed to hold hundreds of other hostages who are held for ransom.The Farc, who have been fighting the government since the 1960s, are believed to hold hundreds of other hostages who are held for ransom.
Farc have suffered recent setbacks as the government drives them further into mountain and jungle areas.Farc have suffered recent setbacks as the government drives them further into mountain and jungle areas.