Venezuelan hostages freed

Two Venezuelan helicopters are on a mission to collect four hostages who Colombian rebels have promised to free.



The hostages, who are also former members of the Venezuelan Congress, are reportedly among 40 high-profile persons being held for years by the Farc guerrillas.



Venezuelan Interior Minister, Ramon Rodriguez, said the rebels promised last month to release the hostages, as a result of mediation efforts by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.



He said the Colombians have left instructions indicating where the hostages should be collected.



Farc rebels are also believed to be holding several hundred other hostages, many of whom were reportedly taken for ransom to help fund rebel operations.