come from President Nicolas Sarkozy, who had made her release from captivity in the Colombian jungle a foreign policy priority. Betancourt, 46, was rescued on Wednesday by the Colombian military after spending over six years in the hands of leftist guerrillas from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). France was not involved in the rescue.
Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy were on the tarmac to greet Betancourt, who arrived with her family on a special French flight from Bogota. France had sent the plane to take Betancourt's children to be reunited with her on Thursday.
Sarkozy and his wife hugged Betancourt and held her hands before also exchanging embraces with her children and relatives.
"Ingrid Betancourt, welcome. France loves you," a visibly moved Sarkozy said in a short speech on the tarmac.
A tearful Betancourt gave credit to France for her safe release, arguing that it was partly thanks to French campaigning that the Colombian military had decided against a hazardous commando-style rescue.
"The extraordinary, perfect, flawless operation of the Colombian army that has allowed me to be here today is also a result of your struggle," she said.
A devout Catholic who made a wooden rosary in the jungle that she used to pray with, Betancourt will meet Pope Benedict as soon as his schedule allows, the Vatican said on Friday.
Betancourt's release has received blanket media coverage in France, which took her plight to its heart over the past six years, embracing her as one of its own.
After leaving the airport, Betancourt met some of the campaigners who held countless marches for her during her captivity, at a reception at the presidential Elysee Palace.
French media reported that she would undergo medical checks at a Paris hospital on Saturday.
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