Sarkozy: “It’s my duty” to free Ingrid Betancourt

French President Nicolas Sarkozy vowed to “fight” for the liberation of French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt (image) from the FARC rebel group. Sarkozy compared Betancourt’s kidnapping to the diplomacy behind the recent freeing of five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor from Libya:

“The Bulgarian nurses were freed and taken to their country via a French airplane. It’s clear that we will find Ingrid Betancourt too, and I'll fight with all my strength to free this woman who has been unjustly held in terrible conditions for five years, because it's my duty to do it.”

Sarkozy echoed statements made during his presidential victory speech in May where he said that “France will not abandon Ingrid Betancourt.” She has spent over 2000 days as a hostage, and her family members have urged both the U.S. and Venezuela to play a greater role in liberating her.

Sources (English)- International Herald Tribune, The Latin Americanist, BBC News, El Universal

Source (Spanish)- RCN

Image- BBC News