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Colombia's Farc free ex-governor Colombia's Farc free ex-governor
(about 3 hours later)
Colombian Farc rebels have released a politician held hostage for more than seven years, the Red Cross has said.Colombian Farc rebels have released a politician held hostage for more than seven years, the Red Cross has said.
Former provincial governor Alan Jara was hugged by his weeping wife and son as he stepped off a helicopter in the town of Villavicencio, east of Bogota.Former provincial governor Alan Jara was hugged by his weeping wife and son as he stepped off a helicopter in the town of Villavicencio, east of Bogota.
Three Red Cross delegates and Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba, who helped negotiate Mr Jara's release, had flown to collect him, the Red Cross said. Speaking later at a press conference, Mr Jara accused Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe of having "done nothing" to achieve the freeing of hostages.
The operation follows Farc's voluntary release of four hostages on Sunday. His liberation follows Farc's voluntary release of four hostages on Sunday.
They were the first captives to be released by the rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) in almost a year as a goodwill gesture.They were the first captives to be released by the rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) in almost a year as a goodwill gesture.
'Political hostages''Political hostages'
"Today was a miracle and we need more miracles," Mr Jara said, before he was hustled away with relatives. Three Red Cross delegates and Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba, who helped negotiate Mr Jara's release, had flown to collect him, the Red Cross said.
He was released in the same area of jungle, in Caqueta state, where the four hostages were freed on Sunday. Speaking to reporters in Villavicencio, Mr Jara said he was "profoundly convinced" that Mr Uribe had done nothing to win the hostages' freedom.
"It would seem that the country being at war suits President Uribe," he said.
Mr Jara, 51, rejected military operations against the Farc, saying he believed a "political solution" was needed to bring an end to the nation's civil conflict.
He called for urgent moves to exchange hostages, saying those held in the jungle could wait no longer. The Farc were far from beaten and many young people continued to join it, he added.
Mr Jara 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 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.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, 51, was kidnapped by Farc in July 2001. Mr Jara, who said it was a miracle to be reunited with his family, was kidnapped by the Farc in July 2001.
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.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. The movement has suffered recent setbacks as the government drives it further into mountain and jungle areas.