The Colombian government Wednesday said it was not considering the possibility that Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez plays a major role in a humanitarian mission France is sending to the jungle in southeast Colombia to provide assistance to Ingrid Betancourt and other hostages held by the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC).

Chávez's role "has not been considered. This (mission) has been dealt with directly by the presidents of France (Nicolas Sarkozy) and Colombia (Álvaro Uribe)," replied the Colombian High Commissioner for Peace Luis Carlos Restrepo when asked about the Venezuelan ruler's likely participation in a mission Paris sent to Colombia to provide health assistance to the hostages.

Restrepo told private radio station Caracol he contacted French authorities "to move forward in the operational phase." However, he added "both governments undertook to keep confidentiality."

Restrepo added that the mission, which was kicked off officially on Wednesday, as announced by the French Presidency, comprises "a team of highly-skilled professionals who are carrying cutting-edge equipment."

Restrepo asked the FARC to allow the mission to operate, and reminded that Uribe's government has not terminated the mediation of a Swiss delegate and a French delegate to contact the guerrilla group, AFP reported.

This year, the FARC unilaterally released six hostages as a compensation for Chávez, whose mediation was terminated by Uribe last November.

The major guerrilla group in Colombia is holding Betancourt and three US nationals in a group of some 39 hostages they intend to swap for FARC troops who are in jail.