United Nations Radio

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has warmly welcomed Colombia's announcement regarding the release of hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC.

The Colombian authorities say they have rescued former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, held for more than 6 years, three U.S. citizens and eleven members of the Colombian armed forces, all without bloodshed.

The Secretary-General called on the FARC to immediately and unconditionally release the remaining hostages, whose security, he said, is their responsibility. Mr. Ban urged the FARC and other groups to engage in dialogue with the authorities in order to free hostages and end the violence that has afflicted Colombia for so long.

Noting that the freed hostages and so many others still held in captivity in Colombia have endured years of hardship and privation, the Secretary-General called kidnapping an abhorrent crime and an egregious violation of international humanitarian law.

This is Diane Bailey reporting for United Nations Radio.

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