BOGOTA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- A member of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has agreed to free Ingrid Betancourt and other hostages in exchange for protection from extradition, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe announced Friday. His government has accepted the rebel initiative.

    "A letter was sent to the guerrilla who is offering to release Betancourt and other hostages, telling him that if he keeps his promise he will not be extradited, I hope he is sincere," Uribe said.

    High-profile hostage Betancourt is a French-Colombian citizen who was kidnapped in 2002 while campaigning for the Colombian presidency.

    The government says the rebels currently hold some 700 hostages, Including three U.S. military contractors kidnapped in 2003.

    "The rebels asked if we could guarantee that those who released the hostages would not be taken to jail and if they could immediately go to another country like France," Uribe said.

    "Our response was positive. Free the hostages and simultaneously they can get on an airplane and go to a foreign country," Uribe pledged.

    The 17,000-strong FARC is Colombia's largest anti-government group, which has been in operation since 1964.