Colombia: Rebels reject France aid workers

BOGOTA, April 8 (UPI) -- Colombian leftist rebels Tuesday rejected efforts to treat a high-profile French-Colombian hostage, said Colombian officials.

Leaders from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia said French medical officials cannot treat Ingrid Betancourt, a former Colombian presidential candidate held captive by the rebels since 2002, El Tiempo newspaper reported Tuesday online.

Last week, France sent a team of medical workers to Colombia to treat Betancourt, who reportedly is very ill.

Her son said last week that his mother is near death and in need of a blood transfusion.