Colombian rebel group the Revolutionary Armed forces of Colombia (FARC) said on Saturday that they were planning to release three hostages, local media reported.

The FARC said in a statement given to the local Noticias Uno television that it planned to free Gloria Polanco de Losada, Luis Eladio Perez and Orlando Beltran because of their heath problems after being held for over six years.

Without giving a date on their liberation, the FARC said the release was in recognition of efforts by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and leftist Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba to mediate an exchange of key hostages for jailed FARC rebels.

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2008)