Bogota  - A Colombian politician held hostage by leftist rebels is not set to be released before Tuesday despite earlier plans that he might be free again Monday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said.

However, the Red Cross noted that plans for the release of Alan Jara, a former governor of the central Colombian province of Meta, and that of former regional legislator Sigifredo Lopez continue, after the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) offered to free them.

According to a statement released by a humanitarian mission in charge of finding the hostages after they are released, Jara was set to be freed Monday, while Lopez was expected to be released Wednesday.

Colombian opposition Senator Piedad Cordoba, who leads a humanitarian mission that is taking part in the releases, said in Meta capital Villavicencio that Jara is now set to be released Tuesday, while Lopez will not be free before Thursday.

The delay was linked to problems encountered Sunday in the release by FARC of three police officers and a soldier.

"Although some events generated tension, the ICRC underlines that the interest over the fate of the victims and their relatives must dominate in these circumstances," said Red Cross spokesman Yves Heller. dpa