Berlin  - Germany Thursday welcomed the freeing of Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and others by government forces, congratulating the government in Bogota on the successful operation.

"We share the joy and relief of the family and friends of Ingrid Betancourt, who has been freed after being held hostage for more than six years," Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said.

He also welcomed the freeing of 14 other hostages, three of them US citizens.

Some of the hostages had been held by the FARC guerrillas for longer than 10 years.

Steinmeier congratulated the Colombian government and expressed the hope that hundreds of other FARC hostages would soon be freed. (dpa)