French Ambassador to Colombia Jean Michel Marlaud said here Friday that France was committed to the freedom of the Colombian hostages who had been kidnapped by guerrillas.

"You know that France has always been committed to the issue, because the peace of Colombia is the peace of the world, and it is also the peace of my country," Marlaud said during a ceremony at the National Capitol.

France has recently accepted demobilized members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) as well as former hostages who are now studying in France, Marlaud added.

Former FARC leader Ramon Isaza, who helped free the kidnapped Colombian congressman Oscar Lizcano, also went to France to lead a normal life, he explained.

It is estimated that the FARC keeps some 24 "exchangeable" hostages including soldiers, policemen, and politicians. According to the opposition, President Alvaro Uribe refuses to exchange them for the guerrillas in prison.

(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2009)