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Colombian general 'freed by rebels' Colombian general 'freed by rebels'
(about 3 hours later)
Farc rebels in Colombia have released a general and two others who were abducted two weeks ago, the president says.Farc rebels in Colombia have released a general and two others who were abducted two weeks ago, the president says.
Gen Ruben Dario Alzate and the other captives were handed over to a humanitarian mission led by the International Red Cross, President Juan Manuel Santos said on Twitter.Gen Ruben Dario Alzate and the other captives were handed over to a humanitarian mission led by the International Red Cross, President Juan Manuel Santos said on Twitter.
All three were in good health.All three were in good health.
Gen Alzate's abduction on 16 November prompted the president to suspend peace talks with the rebels in Cuba.Gen Alzate's abduction on 16 November prompted the president to suspend peace talks with the rebels in Cuba.
The three hostages have now been taken to a military base in the city of Medellin.
Pastor Alape, a Farc negotiator and commander of the rebel block responsible for the abductions travelled from Cuba to personally co-ordinate the release of the hostages.
The Red Cross confirmed that the handover had taken place in a remote location in Choco province, an isolated jungle region on Colombia's Pacific Coast.
Mr Santos had said that he expected the hostages to be freed earlier in the week.Mr Santos had said that he expected the hostages to be freed earlier in the week.
But the Farc cancelled the operation, blaming a "heavy military presence" where the hostages were being held in Choco province, an isolated jungle region in Colombia's Pacific Coast. The Farc cancelled the operation, blaming a "heavy military presence" in the area where the hostages were being held.
Local media reported that Pastor Alape, a Farc negotiator and commander of the rebel block responsible for the abductions, had travelled from Cuba to personally co-ordinate the release of the hostages.
Mr Santos said that the peace talks would resume once Gen Alzate and his companions were safely home.Mr Santos said that the peace talks would resume once Gen Alzate and his companions were safely home.
But Farc negotiators said they were not happy with the way the government dealt with the incident.
"We can't be in the hands of the government, which decides when to suspend and when to reopen the negotiations," Farc delegate Jesus Santrich told Venezuelan channel Telesur.
"There is no set date as yet for the talks to be resumed," he added.
In a statement released in Havana, the rebels said: "We can't let the peace process that has reached such an advanced state, where key issues are being discussed, be subject to such rushed, thoughtless actions''.
The Farc has renewed calls for both sides to call a ceasefire while the peace negotiations proceed.
The government has rejected such calls, saying that a truce would only help the rebel group regroup and rearm.
Gen Alzate, Cpl Jorge Rodriguez and lawyer Gloria Urrego were kidnapped 14 days ago while travelling along the Atrato river by boat.Gen Alzate, Cpl Jorge Rodriguez and lawyer Gloria Urrego were kidnapped 14 days ago while travelling along the Atrato river by boat.
On Saturday, the Farc announced in Havana that the "special humanitarian protocol" to free the three hostages had been activated.On Saturday, the Farc announced in Havana that the "special humanitarian protocol" to free the three hostages had been activated.
The protocol is well known in Colombia and usually involves the Farc giving the government co-ordinates for the handover point.The protocol is well known in Colombia and usually involves the Farc giving the government co-ordinates for the handover point.
The Colombian president then orders a ceasefire in the area for around 48 hours.The Colombian president then orders a ceasefire in the area for around 48 hours.
Once military operations have stopped, the hostages are released to the Red Cross for a medical check before being taken to safety.Once military operations have stopped, the hostages are released to the Red Cross for a medical check before being taken to safety.
The Farc had said that it kidnapped the general because it was unhappy that President Santos continued the military operation against them during peace talks.The Farc had said that it kidnapped the general because it was unhappy that President Santos continued the military operation against them during peace talks.
The negotiations in Havana have been under way for two years and aim to bring an end to five decades of conflict.The negotiations in Havana have been under way for two years and aim to bring an end to five decades of conflict.