Nicholas Sarkozy

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has once again called on Colombia's main rebel group to free former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, who has been held since 2002.

Mr. Sarkozy made the appeal Tuesday, in a televised address.  He said Betancourt, who is said to be ill with hepatitis B and a skin condition caused by insect bites, is in danger of imminent death. 

Betancourt holds joint French-Colombian citizenship.  She is among a group of high-profile hostages the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - or FARC - wants to exchange for hundreds of jailed rebels.

The French Foreign Ministry says it had been in negotiations for the release of Betancourt with FARC spokesman Raul Reyes, who was killed last month during a Colombian military attack on a jungle hideout in Ecuador.

Mr. Sarkozy has said that he will personally go to Colombia to get Betancourt if the FARC releases her.

The FARC is holding at least 700 people in secret jungle camps for ransom or political leverage.  Three Americans are among the hostages.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, and Reuters.