Colombian president open to French initiatives on freeing hostage
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe on Saturday said he would respect initiatives from French President Nicolas Sarkozy on the release of a French-Colombian national kidnapped by an anti-government group five years ago.

"I respect the president of France," Uribe said, noting "we are respectful and receptive to any ideas he may have."

However, Uribe insisted on his determination to fight Colombia's biggest anti-government group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), saying "we must reiterate our will to defeat terrorists here."

Uribe's remarks came after Sarkozy, who took office earlier this week, on Friday said he opposed Uribe's order to free Ingrid Betancourt through a military operation as he feared a military rescue bid would lead to her death.

Betancourt, born in Colombia, obtained French nationality when she married a Frenchman. She was kidnapped by the FARC in February 2002 when she was campaigning for the Colombian presidency as a Green Party candidate.

Uribe announced orders to liberate the hostages on Friday after he heard escaped hostage Jhon Frank Pinchao's description of how he was treated by the FARC. Pinchao also said he had seen other hostages, including Betancourt, less than three weeks ago.