In pictures: Betancourt freed

The French-Colombian politician, Ingrid Betancourt, has been reunited with her children - a day after being rescued from more than six years of captivity in Colombia.

After the emotional reunion, Ms Betancourt vowed to work tirelessly for the freedom of the estimated 700 hostages still being held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).

Ms Betancourt was among 15 hostages rescued by undercover Colombian government troops from a remote area of the country. She described the mission as a "perfect operation".

There was a huge sigh of relief as the hostages arrived in the capital, Bogota, on Wednesday.

Arm-in-arm with fellow sufferers, she thanked the Colombian military for the operation.

The world's media had descended on Catam air base in Bogota to catch the first glimpse of the woman who was Farc's highest-profile hostage.

Ms Betancourt was reunited on the tarmac with her mother, Yolanda Pulecio...

...and with her husband Juan Carlos Lecompte.

Three US government contractors, who were held captive alongside Ms Betancourt, have returned to Texas where they are undergoing medical checks before being reunited with their loved-ones.

The daring rescue was a huge coup for Colombian President Alvaro Uribe (L), who has waged a bitter fight against the leftist insurgents.

Ms Betancourt and other hostages later recounted their dramatic rescue to President Uribe at the presidential palace in Bogota.

News of the rescue triggered street celebrations in Bogota as thousands of cars blared horns, Colombian flags were waved and people cheered.