Colombia praises Chavez rebel remarks

BOGOTA, June 10 (UPI) -- Colombian defense officials Monday praised the call by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for Colombian rebels to end their fight against the government.

Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos said he hoped the remarks by Chavez -- who has expressed sympathy for the rebel movement in Colombia -- would translate "into action," El Tiempo reported online.

During his weekly address Sunday, Chavez said "an armed guerrilla movement is out of place" in Latin America.

Colombia's leftist rebels have been battling government forces for more than 40 years. Chavez has been accused of aiding the rebels in recent years, an allegation he denies.

The Bush administration also appeared pleased with the remarks by Chavez.

"We would encourage Venezuela to follow those good words with concrete actions," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.