French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt (R) is escorted by France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (C) and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy upon arrival at Villacoublay military airport in Paris July 4, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    PARIS, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The freed French-Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt and her families were greeted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy at Villacoublay military airport in the southwest of Paris Friday Afternoon.

    "The whole of France is happy that you are here and the whole of France is impressed by the way that you are returned with smile and vitality," Sarkozy said.

    Betancourt expressed gratitude for "the extraordinary and perfect operation" of the Colombian army, which, she said was also a feat for France. France had been insisting on a rescue operation without putting the lives of the hostages at risk.

    On February 23, 2002, Ingrid Betancourt, then Colombian presidential candidate, was seized by the Colombian rebel group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in the south of Bogoda, capital of Colombia.

    Along with other 14 hostages, she was rescued on Wednesday by the Colombian army in a non-violent operation.