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Chavez on hostage freedom mission Chavez to meet Colombian rebels
(about 6 hours later)
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is holding talks in Colombia on his new role as mediator between the Colombian government and left-wing rebels. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has agreed to invite Colombian rebels to discuss a hostage release deal.
The meeting with President Alvaro Uribe will define Mr Chavez's role in brokering a deal with Farc rebels to free hostages and government detainees. Mr Chavez announced the plan after talks with Colombian leader Alvaro Uribe on his role as mediator between Colombia's government and the rebels.
Although he is popular with the rebels Mr Chavez's involvement poses serious challenges for him, correspondents say. Mr Chavez hopes to secure the release of hostages by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) in exchange for rebels held by the authorities.
Farc and officials disagree on key issues, including a demilitarised zone. The two sides disagree on key issues, including a demilitarised zone.
The BBC's Americas editor, Emilio San Pedro, says the conservative Colombian president must have his reservations about bringing the left-wing and outspoken Venezuelan president into the fray. Mr Chavez announced his plan to host negotiations after a marathon six-hour session of talks at Mr Uribe's farm near Bogota.
"President Uribe has welcomed the idea that I receive Farc representatives in Venezuela," Mr Chavez said.
Confident
The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Bogota says the challenge facing the Venezuelan president is a huge one.
I ask God that I can contribute to this matter of a humanitarian swap Hugo Chavez,Venezuelan presidentI ask God that I can contribute to this matter of a humanitarian swap Hugo Chavez,Venezuelan president
Mr Uribe is Washington's staunchest ally in the region, while Mr Chavez is embroiled in an ongoing war of words with the US. The Farc have held some hostages for a decade and have vowed not to free any until hundreds of their comrades in prison are released.
But Mr Uribe has proved to be a pragmatist when it comes to the Venezuelan leader, whose popularity has a way of seeping beyond Venezuela's national borders, our correspondent adds. The Colombian government and the Farc have been unable to agree on setting up talks.
Mr Chavez said that he was confident that he would be able to arbitrate successfully. And the rebels so far not made contact with the Venezuelan president in his role as facilitator.
But Mr Chavez said that he was confident that he would be able to arbitrate successfully.
"I ask God that I can contribute to this matter of a humanitarian swap, to the matter of the search for peace, which is peace for all of us - peace for Venezuela, peace for Colombia, union and integration," he said."I ask God that I can contribute to this matter of a humanitarian swap, to the matter of the search for peace, which is peace for all of us - peace for Venezuela, peace for Colombia, union and integration," he said.
Mr Chavez also said he would also host talks between the government and Colombia's second-largest rebel group, the National Liberation Army (ELN).
Negotiations between the two sides that had been held in Cuba have recently stalled.
French connectionFrench connection
Farc (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) rebels currently hold dozens of hostages, including several high-profile figures. Farc rebels currently hold dozens of hostages, including several high-profile figures.
Relatives of those held captive are reported to be optimistic about Mr Chavez's involvement.Relatives of those held captive are reported to be optimistic about Mr Chavez's involvement.
"It's the first time I see there could be a small light at the end of the tunnel," said Juan Carlos Lecompte, husband of French-Colombian Ingrid Betancourt, a former presidential candidate abducted by the Farc in 2002."It's the first time I see there could be a small light at the end of the tunnel," said Juan Carlos Lecompte, husband of French-Colombian Ingrid Betancourt, a former presidential candidate abducted by the Farc in 2002.
In June the Colombian authorities released Farc leader Rodrigo Granda - known as the group's "foreign minister" - as a prelude to freeing another 200 guerrillas from prison.In June the Colombian authorities released Farc leader Rodrigo Granda - known as the group's "foreign minister" - as a prelude to freeing another 200 guerrillas from prison.
President Uribe claimed he was influenced by President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, who was acting in the interests of Ms Betancourt. President Uribe said he had been influenced by President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, who was acting in the interests of Ms Betancourt.
Mr Chavez and Mr Uribe were also due to discuss trade issues and a gas pipeline between the two states during their six-hour meeting. Mr Chavez and Mr Uribe also discussed trade issues and a gas pipeline between the two states during their meeting in Bogota.