Colombian President  Claims Libyan Leader Gaddafi Funded FARC Rebels

Bogota  - Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos said the death of ousted Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi was a moral blow for local FARC rebels that allegedly had ties to the north African leader.

Santos recalled alleged emails seized from computers of slain FARC commander "Raul Reyes" indicated that the rebel group FARC's leaders visited Libya on at least one occasion in 2000 to request a US$100 million loan from Gaddafi who was killed last week after being removed from power by armed rebels.

"There are many e-mails where it says Reyes visited Libya and presented a request for a US$100 million loan that would be reimbursed in five years", said Santos. He added that Reyes travelled on several occasions to Libya via Havana.

The Colombian president's claims that FARC had ties to the Gaddafi regime is being supported by U.S. security analyst Douglas Farah, who has said that Gaddafi "developed close and ongoing relationship with the FARC becoming acquainted with its leaders in meetings of revolutionary groups regularly hosted in Libya".

He said the death of Gaddafi is the second setback for FARC this week after the announcement of Basque separatist group ETA to disarm and seek independence from Spain through non-violent means.

"So, Gaddafi died and another supporter of the rebels and the narco-terrorism of the FARC and ELN died" Santos said in a speech in Santa Marta.

"Let's hope the ELN and the FARC understand they are isolated and that the people reject violence", said the Colombian president in reference to last week's statement by the Basque group.