Uribe takes blame for failed rescue after rebels kill politicians

Colombia's president, Alvaro Uribe, has taken responsibility for a botched rescue attempt of a state governor and former defence minister, who were kidnapped by leftist rebels and executed along with eight captive soldiers as troops closed in on a jungle hideout.

Meanwhile, Colombia's military commander, General Jorge Enrique Mora, vowed to push ahead with rescue operations despite a growing public clamour to exchange jailed rebels for dozens of remaining hostages – a rebel demand that Mr Uribe has flatly refused.

In Monday's rescue attempt, the Governor of Antioquia state, Guillermo Gaviria; the former defence minister, Gilberto Echeverri, and eight security force members were executed by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebels as troops approached their camp. Three other hostages escaped, though two of them were injured.

In an emotional televised address on Monday, Mr Uribe said he accepted responsibility for the botched rescue but urged the nation to support his campaign against terrorism in Colombia, which is torn by a 38-year civil war with leftist rebels and rightist paramilitaries.