Colombian guerrilla leaders holding seven tourists hostage said today they wanted to exchange the seven foreign backpackers for imprisoned rebels, but they did not make it a requisite for freeing the tourists.

Colombian guerrillas have said they would be prepared to consider an exchange of seven hostages for rebels held in prison, it was reported today.

A senior Roman Catholic Church leader met with imprisoned leaders of Colombia’s second-largest rebel group as part of stepped up efforts to secure the release of seven foreign hostages.