Colombian man ends protest trek

Gustavo Moncayo, 55, arrived in the capital, Bogota, on Wednesday evening to ask President Alvaro Uribe to back a swap of prisoners for rebel captives.

The teacher carried out the 560-mile (900km) trek with his hands chained to symbolise the hostages' plight.

His son Pablo Emilio, then 19, was captured by Farc guerrillas in 1997.

Tens of thousands of people came out onto the streets of Bogota to greet Mr Moncayo.

Mr Uribe has reportedly agreed to meet the campaigner, who has vowed to camp out in a plaza near the president's palace until the government agrees a hostage deal.

'Whatever necessary'

Scores of politicians, police and soldiers have been kidnapped and held in secret jungle lairs by the rebels from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).

"I will do whatever is necessary for my son and for peace in Colombia," Mr Moncayo told the Associated Press news agency as he neared the capital.

Pablo Emilio Moncayo appeared on the undated video In early July, the Farc released a video showing seven hostages, some held for nearly a decade, pleading for the government to talk to their captors.