French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages have been freed after rebels holding them were tricked into handing them over.

Colombian soldiers - apparently posing as members of a non-government organisation - flew them to freedom in a helicopter.

Ms Betancourt said: "This is a miracle. There is no historical precedent for such a perfect operation."

Ms Betancourt was held by the left-wing Farc rebels for more than six years.

When the head of the operation to free the hostages told them they were free, "the helicopter almost fell from the sky because we all jumped, shouted, cried and embraced," Ms Betancourt said.

"We couldn't believe it," she added.

Political aspiration

The Farc has been fighting to overthrow the Colombian government for 40 years, and Ms Betancourt was their highest profile captive.

Also released were three Americans and 11 members of the Colombian security forces, all said to be in relatively good health.

President Alvaro Uribe congratulated the army on the operation, in which no shots were fired, and urged Farc to release its remaining hostages and seek peace.


more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7486552.stm