French top honour for Betancourt

France has honoured the former hostage Ingrid Betancourt, who was rescued from Colombian rebels earlier this month.

An official announcement said Ms Betancourt has been appointed a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.

The decoration, one of France's highest civilian honours, will be formally presented to her by President Nicolas Sarkozy on 14 July, Bastille Day.

Ms Betancourt - who has Colombian and French citizenship - received a hero's welcome in France 10 days ago.

The president will confer the honour on her on France's national holiday at a garden party in the grounds of the Elysee Palace.

Tricked

She was freed on 2 July, after held for six-and-a-half years in the Colombian jungle by left-wing rebels from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).

They had been tricked into handing over the hostages by Colombian soldiers posing as rebels.

Ms Betancourt, 46, had been kidnapped by the group in 2002 while she was campaigning to be president.

She has said that France's influence had helped the rescue operation pass off peacefully.

Ms Betancourt was campaigning for the presidency against current incumbent Alvaro Uribe when she was kidnapped by Farc guerrillas.

After her release she thanked Mr Uribe and said she still aspired "to serve Colombia as president".