French President Nicolas Sarkozy has implored Colombia's rebels to free ailing hostage Ingrid Betancourt, saying she is in danger of dying.
Mr Sarkozy has also announced a French mission to Colombia to try to get access to the hostage.
Mr Sarkozy called Colombian President Alvaro Uribe to say France was sending a humanitarian mission "without delay to contact the FARC (rebels) and obtain access to our compatriot," his office said.
Betancourt, held for more than six years in the jungle, has both French and Colombian nationality.
In Bogota, Uribe said Colombian authorities would suspend military operations in any zone where the mission would be travelling, as France requested.
The French president's office did not say when the mission would leave. His office said it would not comment on timing.
In a televised message to rebel leader Manuel Marulanda, Mr Sarkozy said the latest information about the health of Betancourt is "profoundly alarming".
"Ingrid is in danger of imminent death," he said. "Since only a decision from you to save this woman from death is needed ... Take this decision. Free Ingrid Betancourt," he told the chief of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.
Betancourt is reportedly suffering from Hepatitis B and a skin disease.
Getting her freed has become a cause celebre in France.