'I owe my life to France'
2008-07-04 16:55
Paris - Freed Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt said on Friday that she owed her life and freedom to France, speaking on the plane flying her to meet President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris.
"I owe my life to France. If France hadn't fought for me, I wouldn't be here making this extraordinary journey," the 46-year-old politician, who also has French nationality, told reporters on the French presidential aircraft.
Sarkozy, who made Betancourt's release a top diplomatic priority, was to welcome her and her children at 16:00 (14:00 GMT) at a military airport west of Paris.
Freed by the Colombian army on Wednesday along with three US hostages and 11 Colombians after six years in the grip of Marxist FARC rebels, Betancourt said she wanted to share her happiness with France.
"I want to communicate this happiness, to share it with the French people," she said. "I am in great shape. I have never felt stronger," added the former hostage.
Asked about her plans for the future, Betancourt said simply: "To live. To be happy."
France has celebrated the news of Betancourt's release and she was expected to be treated to a rapturous welcome in Paris, the city where she grew up, studied and raised her children.
- AFP