Betancourt is reportedly suffering from hepatitis B and a skin disease caused by insect bites [AFP]

Bogota has urged the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) to free Betancourt, who is believed to be gravely ill, and a number of other hostages in exchange for around 500 imprisoner guerrillas.
 
"The president has given the order that a plane and medical team be ready at any moment to take Ingrid Betancourt to hospital if she is released," a presidential spokesman said on Sunday.

"This plane ... is on the mainland territory and can take off immediately if developments warrant it."

French appeal

In an interview to Colombian television earlier this month, Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, appealed directly to Manuel Marulanda, the Farc leader, for  Betancourt's release.
 
"It's up to him to decide how he wants to appear to the entire world: look like an assassin or like someone who has had the courage to make a humanitarian gesture," he said.

Fabrice Delloye, her former husband, has expressed doubts about the Colombian government's recent offer to release Farc prisoners, adding that he feared that Betancourt was "either dying or already dead".

"What worries me most is the latest statement by the Colombian government, and I wonder if they have information that we do not have and are in the process of shielding themselves," he said.

Farc prisoners

Colombia's government signed a decree after an emergency meeting on Thursday, that would set free Farc rebels if the group first released some hostages, including Betancourt, according to the country's senior peace negotiator.

Francois Fillon, the French prime minister, said on Sunday that Paris was ready to accept Farc rebels released by Colombia.
 
"France is ready to do whatever is necessary to allow the liberation of Ingrid Betancourt and the reception of Farc activists who are part of this effort," he told TF1 television.

On Saturday, Alvaro Uribe, Colombia's president, said what the Colombian government has found out about Betancourt is "what the whole community has heard - a delicate state".

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