BRUSSELS, March 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said here Thursday Washington favors a diplomatic solution to the crisis sparked by Colombia's cross-border raid on rebels.

    "The U.S. government stands strongly for the diplomatic resolution of the recent circumstances," Rice told reporters after a NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels.

    Tension in the region was heightened following an attack by Colombian forces on Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels in Ecuador at the weekend.

    Ecuador severed diplomatic ties with Colombia and another neighbor Venezuela, expelled the Colombian ambassador. Both Ecuador and Venezuela have sent troops to the border areas.

    Rice said the border areas shall not be used by the FARC.

    "It shows that everyone needs to be vigilant about the use of border areas by terrorist organizations like the FARC," she said.

    "The FARC is a terrorist organization. It's extremely important that they not be able to continue their efforts, which have led to the loss of lives of many Colombians."

    She said Colombia is an ally of the United States in South America and that Washington supports Colombia's efforts to continue its democratization and economic progress.

    She also noted that Washington is working on a free trade agreement with the South American country.

    "We have a very good friend and ally in Colombia," she said.