Colombian army rescues five hostages

The Colombian army yesterday rescued five hostages being held by leftist rebels after hours of intense fighting near the capital.

The freed hostages - four men and one woman - climbed down from an army helicopter and into the arms of waiting spouses and children at a military academy in Bogota.

‘‘It’s been the longest week of my life,’’ said Amparo Zambrano Guarin, whose husband, Jorge, was kidnapped eight days ago.

‘‘I never left my house, I jumped every time the phone rang. It was a living hell.’’