Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said Friday that his government will free some or all of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) prisoners by June 7.

Uribe said in an interview with Caracol Radio that his decision was based on the "reason of the state." He did not elaborate.

"By June 7, I will have to have freed some or all of the FARC (members). If it is not possible, I will transfer them to another place instead of a prison," Uribe said.

Uribe said the amnesty does not cover prisoners belonging to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC).

The president said the prisoners to be released should work for peace and not go back to their old ways.

FARC is Colombia's largest anti-government guerrilla movement. It has been fighting the government since the mid-1960s and still holds many political, military and foreign hostages in the hope that they can be exchanged for imprisoned guerrillas. Among the hostages are a former presidential candidate, French-Colombian Ingrid Betancourt and three Americans.

Uribe has ordered troops to combat the rebels, notably FARC. Nevertheless, the president says he is open to talks on exchanging victims for jailed rebels.

Uribe said last Saturday that he respects the concern of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is opposed to Uribe's order to free Betancourt through a military operation amid fears an armed rescue bid would jeopardise her safety.

Source: Xinhua