Marxist rebels freed four Colombian lawmakers held hostage for years in the jungle yesterday, in a victory for President Hugo Chavez of neighbouring Venezuela who brokered the deal.

Venezuelan helicopters painted with Red Cross logos swooped into the dense jungle to pick up the three men and a woman, all snatched by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, more than six years ago.

The lawmakers said a prayer at the handover to give thanks for their freedom and were fit enough to fly to Venezuela despite reports of illness, Colombia's ambassador in Caracas said.