Jul 3, 2008, 19:21 GMT
Washington - US President George W Bush congratulated Colombia's military on the rescue of 15 hostages, including three US contractors and former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, from leftist rebels.
Bush was told of the 'good news' in a telephone call with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Wednesday night. In a daring operation earlier in the day, undercover Colombian agents tricked leftist rebels into allowing the hostages to board a government helicopter.
'I told (Uribe) what a joyous occasion it must be to know that the plan had worked, that people who were unjustly held were now free to be with their families,' Bush said.
'I appreciate his courage and his strong leadership and the successful operations they waged,' he said.
Betancourt had been held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) since 2002. The three US contractors were captured a year later after their plane crashed into the southern Colombian jungle.
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