BRASILIA, Brazil, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- The Brazilian army says it will provide support to groups working on the planned release of six hostages held by leftist Colombian rebels.
Defense Minister Nelson Jobim said Sunday the Brazilian military will assist the International Red Cross, which is leading the effort to get the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia to free the hostages, the Latin American Herald Tribune reported.
"We already positioned the Brazilian army to assist in all of this, made the necessary adjustments so that Brazil can cooperate," Jobim said.
The guerrilla group, known as FARC, said last month that it would release the six hostages. The newspaper reported the release date had not been revealed yet for security reasons
The International Committee of the Red Cross said last week the hostages would be released on Colombian soil, with opposition Sen. Piedad Cordoba and two Red Cross members traveling to the site on aircraft provided by Brazil.
FARC, which has fought the Colombian government for four decades, had been trying to trade hostages for hundreds of jailed guerrillas.
