Chavez seeks international mediation for Colombia

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez proposed on Thursday creating an international mediating group to negotiate the release of hostages held by Colombian rebels, a day after he brokered the freeing of four captives. Chavez, who is in a diplomatic dispute with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe over his mediation with the rebels, said France and the leftist governments of Brazil, Argentina and Ecuador backed his idea to include more nations in the talks.