Colombian guerrilla leader killed

MEDELLIN, Colombia, March 1 (UPI) -- A top Colombian left-wing guerrilla leader was killed Saturday in an attack on his jungle camp, the government said.

Raul Reyes, 59, a senior commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, is the first leader to be killed in combat in the 44-year history of the rebel group, also known as FARC, the BBC reported.

Reyes, who also went by the name Luis Edgar Devia, died with 16 other rebels during an attack near the Ecuadorean border, the British network said.

Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos said Reyes' death is the "biggest blow so far" to FARC.

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe had coordinated with Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa on the operation, BBC reported.

"The Colombian air force proceeded to attack the camp from the Colombian side (of the border)," he was quoted as saying. "Once the camp was bombarded, Colombian forces were ordered in to secure the area and neutralize the enemy."