Ingrid Betancourt, the French-Colombian politician rescued on Thursday after being held by FARC rebels for six years, is back on French soil. The 46-year-old was greeted at a Paris air base by French President Nikolas Sarkozy. She was then whisked off to the Elysees Palace, where she received a hero’s welcome, for a party with her supporters. Ms Betancourt said she had dreamed of the day she could once again breathe French air. She told reporters of her love for France, saying: "I owe my life to France. If France hadn't fought for me, I wouldn't be here making this extraordinary journey." With tears in her eyes, she said: "I have cried a great deal during this time from pain….Today I am crying because of joy." President Sarkozy said her release had given the world "a message of hope".

Ingrid Betancourt and fifteen other hostages were rescued in a daring and dramatic operation deep in the Colombian jungle. She described the rescue as “immaculate”. Her freedom is a devastating blow for the FARC, who have lost their biggest bargaining chip in their war against the Colombian government. Ms Betancourt expressed her joy at being reunited with her children after six years. "Paradise, nirvana, must be something very close to what I am feeling in this moment. These children are my light, my moon, my stars. It was the desire to see them again that drove me to get out of the jungle." She confessed that thoughts of suicide were constant throughout her period of captivity, but said she could not face "what her children would think" if she ended her life.

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